The Dominion. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1916. A TIMELY PROPOSAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2942, 30 November 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1916. A TIMELY PROPOSAL

"A good deal is to be said in favour ■of tho proposal of the London Times that an Imperial Conference should be held during the first half I of next year.. It may be raised as an objection that the end of the war is not in sight, and that tho Mqther Country and the Dominions are so much occupied with doraestio problems and measures bearing on the prosecution of the war that joint deliberation at this stage would bo of doubtful utility. This view of tho matter, howover, will hardly bear examination. Giving all the weight that must be given to the fact that unsettled political conditions obtain in Australia and are likely to for some time to come, and that other Dominions are grappling with more or less serious domestic problems, the case for an early conference still seems sound. Local conditions in the Dominions or the Mother Country are after all not the only factor to be taken into account. It is just as necessary that their common Imperial interests should be studied and conserved, and until some definito lino of action has been laid down these interests will be to some extent endangered. A stage has been reached when it is 'necessary to look to the'end of the war, not necessarily as an impending event—it may still be a long way off—but as an event for which all possible preparation and provision should be made in advance. The Times, in advancing its proposal, suggests that the conference should not only aim at reaching an understanding oh peace terms which would be jointly satisfactory to the Dominions, but would be ablo to deal usefully with questions of organisation, ,man-power, increased production, and economy of consumption. The scope it would afford for the joint consideration of warmeasures would in itself go some way, though hardly the whole way, towards justifying a conference next year. Doubt on this point rests chiefly on the fact that the Dominion Governments are already in constant touch with tho Mother Country over matters of war-or-ganisation, and have shown them-, selves, in general, very ready to follow its lead and accept its guidance where the prosecution of the war is concerned. On this account the consideration of war measures, supremely important as they arc, might not in itself afford a reason for summoning an Imperial Conference next year. But an absolute justificatioin of that course appears in the fact that tho conference would mark a definite step towards an understanding between the Dominions and tho Mother Country on tho subject of peace terms. lb may _ be argued that although tho necessity of such an understanding being arrived at before the end of the war is universally recognised, the necessity of taking definite action in tho matter during the first half of 1917 is not as cloarly established. But any such contention is at most of a negative character. Whether tho war is to end in 1917 or to extend beyond that year is a perfectly open question, but uncertainty as to the duration oE the war does nob afford any good reason for indefinitely postponing an attempt to promote an Imperial understanding in regard to conditions of peace. Indeed, as a matter of prudent foresight it is necessary to take account of the possibility that tho'war may end in 1917. In ihut event a, conference in the early part of the year would bo a condition precedent to the Dominions exercis-

lJig an effective voice in tho matter of terms. On tho other hand, if tho war should last longer, much good, and no possible harm, would bo done by meantime, as far as possible, clearing up tho inter-Imperial questions, bearing on the determination of peace terms, which are at present shrouded in considerable uncertainty. There is, of course, a manifest objection to opening up any general discussion on tho_ subject of peaco while the wall's in full swing. It would be- a serious tactical mistako to give tho enomy, in that way, any handle of which ho could take hold. But nothing of this kind is proposed. Tho issues which would arise at tho Imperial Conference concern only Britain and her Dominions. Where the general question of peaco is concerned, Britain is not an entirely free agent. She has to cohsidor, and consult_ with, her Allies, and this sets limits to tho possiblo scopo of an understanding with her Dominions. 'Some general assurances Have been given that tho Dominions will bo consulted before terms of peace are arranged, and tho expectation is ontertamed, no doubt justly onough, that Britain will approach tho matter from an Imperial standpoint. .But wo have probably rolied as long as is advisable upon mere generalities and open promises, and it is desirable that firmer ground _ should be reached as soon as possiblo. This is more particularly necessary since it has been stated, with an appearance of probability, that the Allies do not intend to negotiate with their enemies, but will agreo amongst themselves upon terms of peace, to bo submitted at the proper time to tho Central Empires, for unconditional acceptance or rejection. There is one other ground on which a conference is desirable, and that is the opportunity it would afford for an intimate discussion of the after-war relations of tho various parts of tho Empire. It is not likely that any definite agreement on this great question could be at onco come to, but it is very plain that a stago has been reached when tho political loaders of Britain and the overseas Dominions should come togother to talk over the possibilities of an Imperial organisation of one kind or anothor, and exchange opinions on tho subject. The. visits of individual Dominion Ministers to London have •no doubt paved tho way for understanding on peaco terms and other matters 'arising out of the war, but a satisfactory conclusion can only no reachod at an Imperial Conference, attended by representatives of the Mother Country and all the Dominions.