EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1107, 21 April 1911, Page 5

EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

—4 DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. BRITAIN'S WARS. WILL THE DOMINIONS PARTICIPATE A SIGNIFICANT REAIARK. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. April 20, 11.15 p.m.) London, April 20. A very important discussion on Imperial questions took place in the House of Commons to-day in connection with a motion by Mr. Guinness (Unionist), in favour of making provision for the discussion of the present international situation on the agenda of the Imperial Conference. The motion was eventually withdrawn after the Colonial Secretary (Mr. Harcourt) had promised not to withhold any information the Prime Ministers desired to have. Mr. Guinness welcomed New Zealand's proposal for an Advisory Council as a. real step in the direction of federation, but he doubted whether the High Commissioners would be sufficiently closely in touch with colonial opinion. Mr. Ornsby Gore (Unionist), in seconding the motion, said beforo Australia's resolution regarding naval co-operation and the status of Dominion navies was discussed Sir E. Grey (Foreign Secretary) should instruct the Premiers regarding the relations between Britain's naval policy and foreign policy. Mr. Crawshay-Williams (Liberal) urged that the existing secretariat should be developed into a permanent representative Advisory Council. Mr. Lyttelton (Unionist) declared that almost the whole strength of the Navy should be concentrated at Home. Contingencies in the Far East might make it necessary to add a great many battleships in order to protect the Pacific. It was noteworthy that neither Canada, Australia, nor New Zealand had undertaken to join in all British wars. Mr. Harcourt said it was always the Government's intention to take the Prime Ministers into consultation on matters of great Imperial concern. The Government would proffer information on condition of absolute secrecy. The Premiers would also be asked to attend a meeting of the Imperial Defence Committee.