The Dominion WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1915. THE OPENING OF A NEW ERA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2585, 6 October 1915, Page 4

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1915. THE OPENING OF A NEW ERA

The brief statement regarding the coming Imperial Conference made by the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon contained the interesting' announcement tliafe New Zealand will probably be represented by Mr. Massey himself and the Minister of Finance (Sir Joseph Ward). 'This disclosure of the Government's intentions is not "likely to create any sur'prise., Some siioh arrangement has been suggested at'various times when this matter has been under discussion, but the declaration made yesterday is',- we believe,, the first authoritative expression of the mind of the Government in reference to the representation of this Dominion at what is generally expected to prove the most important gatHring of the statesmen of the British Empire which has ever taken place. Some momentous problems will have to be considered; and it is most necessary that the views of the people of New Zealand should be voiced by men who are in direct touch with public opinion and are in a position to speak with authority on air matters affecting the welfare of this part of the: Empire. Mr: Massey and Sir Joseph Ward will not go to London ■as the . leaders' of ,tKe t\vo ; separate political parties. The formation of the National Ministry was a de'claration to the world that New Zealand had determined to know nothing of parties until the war was over and the terms-of peace finally settled. Nothing will therefore hinder our representatives at the Conference from approaching the Empire problems wnioh will come up for consideration in the true Imperial spirit. 'They will be able to speak as the trusted delegates of a united .Dominion at'one of the most critical junctures in the Empire's history. The war has made things move fast as far as the organisation of the Empire' is concerned.. It has forced the pace in a remarkable manner. The fact tha,t the Overseas Dominions arc to be consulted in. an effective manner and taken into the full confidence of the Imperial Government as to tho terms of peace is in itself a riiost significant, recognition of the right of the Dominions to a more direct influence in determining the destinies of the Empire. The manner in which the self-governing States-haverralliesd s round the Motherland in this unexampled crisis has made it evident to the people and politicians of the United Kingdom that a new era has already commenced. Public sentiment is even now preparing'the way for official action. Referring to the recent visit, to England of the Premier of ! Canada (Sir Robert Borden), the United Empire remarks that Sir Robert Borden is'always assured of a warm but he has arrived j this time '/.to firiu that he is expected to move amongst us no longer with I the aloofness of an honoured guest, but as a public man at home. His' presence at a Cabinet meeting indiI cates a subtle change in the relationship between the Mother Country and the Overseas Dominions, consequent upon the war." It is true that lie only occupied a complimentary seat, but the incident was an unmistakable indication of the trend of events. The ordeal through which we are now passing has made it clear beyond all'shadow of doubt that, the British Empire is indivisible. All its parts have irrevocably determined to stand together. But it has also made it quite evident that far-reaching _ ohanges in the matter of Imperial . orgaruMMon;

have become inevitable. The old order musfc_ give place to the new. The Empire problem has many phases, and it cannot be solved in its entirety at one bound. The coming Conference may only be able to take one stejj forward, but'it will mark the beginning of a new epooh, and in such circumstances the first step is all-importanl, It sets the direction. '