The Dominion WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1915. A SPECIAL IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2423, 31 March 1915, Page 4

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1915. A SPECIAL IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

* There appears to be some uncertainty about the attitude of the Secretary of State (Mr. Hakcourt) on the question of holding an Imperial Conference this year, and he is severely criticised by the Times for what appears to be a desire to evade a definite pronouncement .regarding the intentions of the British Government. The Times states that the Government's decision "to hold no sort of conference in 1915 means that it is prepared to run the risk of having to consider peace terms without a verbal consultation with the Dominions." But have the Imperial authorities finally decided not to hold a conference of any kind this year 1 It was announced in a Press Association cablegram published in The Dominion early in February that Mk. Harcourt had stated that there would be no Imperial Conference in 1915, but a reference to the London newspapers which have since arrived shows that what he actually said was something very different. In answer to a question put to him in the House of Commons on February 4, Mr. Harcourt stated that "in consultation with all the Dominions it has been decided that it is undesirable to hold the normal meeting of the Imperial Conference this year." _ This explanation of the position is no doubt literally correct. The Imperial Government has probably suggested in more or less explicit terms that it would be well to postpone the ordinary conference until after peace had been restored. Such a suggestion is so obviously reasonable that it could hardly evoke any serious opposition. While the Empire is fighting with all its might for its very existence, it would not be wise to divert the attention of its leading statesmen from the great task of bringing the war to a triumphant conclusion merely to discuss a variety of problems—vcrv important, no doubt, but of secondary importance when compared with tho greater issue at stake. The reasons for postponing the normal conference arc undeniably cogent; but it is a very different thing to contend that no conference of any kind should take place during the present year, and Mr. Harcourt has not apparently so far committed himself to this opinion. He seems, however, to' be disinclined to make any clear pronouncement as to what the British Government actually propose to do in the matter. This silencc has been adversely commented upon in Britain, and is creating a feeling of uncertainty in the Dominions which might easily bo removed by a frank disclosure of the intentions of (he Imperial Government. The overseas Dominions fully understand that, owing to Constitutional reasons, they cannot be formally and directly represented at the peace conference when settling day arrives. They were not consulted before the declaration of war, but thev have no complaint to make on that account.. Events developed so rapidly that formal consultation was quite impossible, and there can be no doubt that I lie decision of the British Governinrnt had the enthusiastic support of public opinion throughout (he Empire. But as regards the pe;ier jicttlemcnl, the position is very different'. Necessity for immediate action can no be reasonably used as a p.ka fur cuui'

ing tcMnomentous decisions on matters vitally affecting the interests of the whole Empire without first ascertaining the views of the selfgoverning Dominions. They must be consulted in the fullest and frankest manner, and, as Lord Jlii.skr has remarked, "a timely acknowledgment of this might obviate misunderstandings." A conference for the special purpose of considering matters arising out of tho war is highly desirable. The Imperial ■ authorities have already given an assurance that the Dominions will be afforded an adequate opportunity of giving expression to their desires, but if the consultation is to be real and effective, and not a mere futile formality, it must tako place before the British Government has committed it-self to any line of action. Many of the matters which the pciicc delegates will be called upon to settle arc as important to the Dominions as to the Mother Country, and the Dominion Governments expect to be given a real, if indirect, voice in the negotiations with the other Powers. They will not be content merely to discuss and approve of arrangements to which the Empire has already been so far committed that withdrawal is practically impossible. Australia and New Zealand arc especially interested in the future of the captured German possessions in the Pacific. This is a serious matter from the Australasian point of view, and it is imperative that the wishes of the Commonwealth and this Dominion should be placed before the British Government in the fullest and clearest manner. This means that a special conference should be held during the present year. It would, however, ho extremely difficult—in fact almost impossible—for a Minister to leave New Zealand while Parliament is sitting; but the problems to be considered are of such tremendous import that they must take precedence of ordinary political questions. The absolutely necessary business of Parliament might easily be disposed of in a short session. This would enable a member of the Cabinet to make a visit to England for the purpose of taking part in a consultative meeting between members of the Imperial Government and Ministers representing tho various overseas Dominions.