COUNCILS OF EMPIRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1741, 5 May 1913, Page 5

COUNCILS OF EMPIRE.

SPEECH BY MR. JAMES ALLEN. LABOUR AND DEFENCE. By Teleeraph-Prfts Asiociation-CopyMgh I Ottawa, May 2. Mr. James Allen, the New Zealand Defence Minister, in his speech at the luncheon tendered to him by the Parliamentary Association, explained New Zealand's 'military system, which promised to include every man within the. age limit"capable of bearing anus., Tho Labour legislation of Now Zealand, Mr. Ailen "continued, had on tho whole realised.the expictatipns formed of it at tho Cutset. Compulsory arbitration had suppressed sweating, but had not mads the workers moi'e efficient. New Zealand felt the need, of Imperial defence moro forcibly than any other Dominion. To-day's conditions would not last long. If the solution of tho problem of participation in the common scheme of Empire defence was to be Imperial Conferences, tho greatest good would be • derived ■if the Conferences became Councils of Empire. New Zealand could not remain satisfied with participation in a conference or organisation without, ally executive functions. 1 "IVo look to Canadian statesmen," said Mr.. Allen, "to give a lead to New Zealand. The Dominions looked to Britain to maintain a battle fleet in the North Sea, an A the protection of the' Pacific ought to ho tho duty of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In this matter New Zealand again looked to Canada for a lead." Mr. Allen, in concluding, invited Canadian statesmen to tour New Zealand.