THE SUGGESTED IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2681, 29 January 1916, Page 5

THE SUGGESTED IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

COULD SERVE NO USEFUL END AT PRESENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, .hmuaiy 27. Mr. Bonar Law, in the House of Commons, said he did not think an Imperial Conference could bo usefully held at present, hut a discussion would shortly occur with Mr. Hughes (the Federal Prime Minister). NEW ZEALAND AT THE CONFERENCE. VISIT POSTPONED. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. January 28, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 27. It is understood that difficulties of administration are preventing Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward from coming to London, otherwise Sir Robert Borden (Prime Minister'of Canada) would be summoned to an informal Conference. General Botha, moreover, is unwilling to leave South Africa . at present. A section of the House of Commons! is questioning Mr. Bonar Law, and urging a Conference, but the Government docs not desire to add to its present complications unless the Dominions request a Conference.

STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY., Tlio above cable message was shown last night to the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, who made the following statement with refevenco to it:—

"The proposed visit of the ITinauso Minister and myself to Britain ia only postponed for a more suitable oppntunity. Thero is no particular, difficulty with regard to administration, as is suggested in tlio cablegram, but evcryono knows that wo had, ana still have, most important duties to attend to here. By the way, it is not 'intended to hold anything in the nature of an Imperial Conference at present, but the members of the Imperial Government expressed their willingness to confer with representatives of the Dominions on matters immediately connected'with the war; hence the invitation to the Overseas Government. I may say that the different Imperial and Dominion, are keeping in touch with each other on all the more important questions at issue, but as soon as we can see our way clear, Sir Joseph Ward and myself will definitely acaept the invitation, and pay our promised visit to London."