"DOMINIONS HOUSE."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2005, 12 March 1914, Page 6

"DOMINIONS HOUSE."

THE PREMIER'S SUGGESTION.

EXTEND THE §PHON.

A CHAT WITH EARL GREY.

In his speech at the luncheon in tho Town Hall on Tuesday Earl Grey referred to a letter which ho had receh* ed from the Hon. \V. P. Ma-ssey (Prime Minister) regarding tho proposed scheme for a Dominion House in London, Following is -Che test of tho letter, which is dated March 9:—

"Referring to our conversation . . , with regard to your proposal that the 2j- acres known as tho Aldwyoh site, between Kingsway and the Strand, on which you havo been granted an option by the London County Council, should be purchased by the Dominion Governments and appropriated by them to Dominion purposes, I wish first of all to thank you in tho name, of tho Government and the people of New Zealand for your action in securing for them au opportunity of making arrangements which mrr*. *W.\ble them to locate their London offices on a control a.ad convenient sito and at reasonable rates; and which will in addition enable tho primary producers of New Zealand to focus effectively the attention of English and Continental consumers oa tho high quality of their produce.

"But while wishing success to the Imperial scheme which you hare stibmittetl ... I am unable at the ; present time to say more than that it will be ueeessary for His Majesty's New Zealand Government to consider in sonjunction with the representatives of the Governments of the other self-gov-erning Dominions in what way it will be possible and advantageous 'in the common interests of all concerned to proceed, before I can ia.fo.vm you of the action which the New Zealand- Gov eminent may be prepared to take, "As the necessity of attending to Homo duties will prevent any of" His Majesty's New Zealand Ministers from visiting London this year, I hope tile London County Council will allow the option you have secured to continue' until 1915, when the Prime Ministers of tho self-governing Dominions will be assembled in London for the purpose of taking part in tho Imperial Conference.

"In my opinion that will bo tils most convenient time for the New Zealand Ministers to meet the representatives of the Government of the other self-gov* erning Dominions aud to. discuss with them in all its bearings the project the Imperial importance of which I fully recognise."

■ In the course of aft interview .yesterday, Earl Grey was asked whether he was yot in a position to state what Dominions wcro for or against the Dominions' House scheme.

■Well, so far," said Earl Grey, "I nave only visited' Australia and NewZealand of tho Dominions affected. You might remember that Mr. Watt (of Vie, torn) stated recently that nothing had so far been decided, but'the matter would bo discussed at a conference of Australian Premiers to be held about tho end of March.

Individuality Not tost. Reforenco was made by tho interviewer .to tho advice of' Sir Newton Moore (Agent-General,for West Aug.-, tralia), for West Australia and New Zealand not to participate in the scheme on the.score that,a. State would loso its individuality. , "He is making a great mistake," said. Earl Grey. "By co-operation the States achieve an incroaso in power, whilst still preserving their individuality. If Australia, Now Zealand, Canada, and South Africa have separate buildings in separate streets in London, they all get smothered,up and lost in the great metropolis, but if they all fall in with tho scheme and co-operate k tho construction of one large building, it would attract everybody. As a matter of fact at present some of the States I»ve sfespwindows in which to display their fruit and produce, but few people know where they can get it or where they cm be told about it. Now if they would come together there would be created a sort of Imperial Covent Garden, where the public could ascertain what produce- was grown in every Dominion) and every Britisher could indulge his preference by Buying.from his kinsmen over the seas. "By co-operating together the Dominions would bo able to help each other, thoy_ would bo able to advertise moro effectively, and would ha housed moro cheaply and coinnodiously than if each built its own offices."

Earl Grey's Option, Earl Grey, in reply to a question, stated that ho had secures! from the Loudon County Council aii option to purchnsq extending for three, years from June 26 last, but the County Couth* oil reserved tho right te terminate the option at tho end of the first twelve months, unless there Was evidence that tho people wanted it. "I feel I liavo done rny part of the work," said Earl Grey. K does not matter a hit to mo personally if the schome does not take- root, but I am sure it would be an effective one for tho Dominion farmers who wish to find a market for their prodttee-*-after all, It is for them to decide. I believe it would be the cheapest and best advertisement that could be obtained for any producer."

Position of Canada. "Has not Canada turned the scheme down on tho score that it is too dear?" _ "I do not believe that thero is any justification for that cable message, and I am busy inquiring into the source of its origin. Only lasi week' I .received a cablegram to the effect that i\\ the Senate at Ottana, Senat<?y longhead, leader of the Conservative Party in that House, and a colleague of Mr."Borden's, had referred sympathetically to the scheme, but had added that tho Government had not como to any final decision. It is obvious thai no Government of any Dominion Woald lio likely to announce its intentions uijtil the conference of Dominions' Governments that will precede a settlement."