AN IMPERIAL CONFERENCE?

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2348, 2 January 1915, Page 9

AN IMPERIAL CONFERENCE?

yiEWS OF-THE HON. 'ANDREW, FISHER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auokland, January 1. The suggestion made by the London ''Times" with roferonco to Mr. Fisher's visit to Now Zealand and the holding ol an Imperial Conference this year was referred to by the Prime Minister of ,_ the. Commonwealth to-night: "I think the London 'TimeB 1 is right in the attitude it takes up and in the opinion it has so clearly expressed," said Mr. Fisher. "Many of our difficulties have arisen from the want of opportunities for the meeting of representatives of the Dominions and the Mother Country. Canada stands in a different position to most of the .other Dominions- since she. is in such' close proximity to the Mother Country and can easily communicate with the Government there at any time on any main ter in which difficulty arises. That is not possible in this pprtion tor the .world, and the gravest issues can ■only be dealt with by cable message or by dispatohes which -arrive not before a month has elapsed. In my opinion a conference during this year would be of more value to all parties concerned than any'(that has yet heen held. It would afford to the world evidence of a foot—too little known—that all' parts of the British Empire, even whilst at war, can meet together and discuss a critical situation in as calm and deliberate a manner is if it were not engaged in'any great war at all. I have not changed my "views as to the necessity of-one-or more of His Maiesty's Ministers in. Great • Britain paying sn official visit to his most distant Dominions. I hope that phase of the matter will hot be lost, sight of even at this oritical juncture. •If tie holding of a conference be .not possible, I am to favour of Imperial Conferences being held every two_ years ' because- I iShink our strength lies in getting into the closest possible touch with each other, i.e., in personal consultations and deliberations.- By these raeanß the ties of unity will be strengthened to a greater extent! than by . any . other method I can suggest."