TO-MORROW IN THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2942, 30 November 1916, Page 6

TO-MORROW IN THE EMPIRE

POST-WAR. QUESTIONS

SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD

Aust.ralian-S"ew' Zealand Cable Association. (Bee. November 29, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 28. Sir Joseph Ward (New Zealand Finance Minister) addressed a. largelyattended meeting of the Insurance- Institute at Gres'ham College. The Lord Mayor and many city notabilities attended. Sir Joseph Ward, in tlio course of his speech, emphasised the point that in the future reconstruction of the Empire there could not bo any interference with local autonomy. Though an Imperial Parliament might be a long way off, they might now work for some effective Imperial Council or Defcnco Council. Before an organic Parliament could be possible thero must bo devolution. Britain must pave tho way for a Federal Legislature. The Overseas Dominions had. a right to even a minority voico as to whether the'nation should go to war or what the peace terms should be. He quoted Mr. Asquith's speech at the 1911 Imperial Conference, ■ in which he stated that an Imperial Parliament scheme would invoair the authority of the British Parliament. . "Since then," added Sir ' Joseph Ward, "there has been a great evolution of opinion on the subject. Mr. Bonar Law had declared that as, the result of tho war the time was coming when the Overseas Dominions would share the .government of the Em'piro with Great Britain. He hoped that before the war ended some modus vivendi would be established. He advocated tho ( creation of a great Imperial Navy. AVhile he felt proud of what Australia had done, none of the Overseas Dominions could bear the cost of separate navies. Our new territories in the Pacific demanded a greater fleet thero in the future. Dealing with the question of economics, the speaker said that there must be great industrial changes. They would have a colossal debt, which every part of the Empire would have to bear. . It would be the bounden duty of each to help the others. Mr.Lloyd George's financial scheme early in the war had proved to be practical in an Empire partnership. When the war was over, tho heart of the Chancellor of the Exchequer would have to be softened on the question of the. double income tax. He' should not compel a man who. had paid his tax in one part of the Empire to pay another". Sir, Joseph Ward also urged consideration fora'n emigration scheme to keep people within the Empire. ' NEW ZEALAND PRISONERS OF WAR A CHRISTMAS BOXFOR EVERY . • MAN." ■'.''! .Instralian-Kcw Zealand Cable Association. \ London, November 28. The Now Zealand High Commissioner (Sir T. Mackenzie) has arranged that every New prisoner of war, whether belonging to the Expeditionary Forco or attached to British units, will receive a Christmas parcel valued at £1. Gifts valued at £120, including tobacco, have been sent to the crew of ' H.M.S. Philomel, and £125 to the crew of H.M.S. New Zealand. The Maori contingent received £100 worth of gifts. ■' ' NEW GOVERNOR OP BENGAL Australian-New Zealand Cabin Association. (Rec. November 29, 5.35 p.m.) London, November 28. The Earlof Ronaldshay will succeed Lord Carmichacl as Governor of Bengal in April. LOANS IN AMERICA ATTITUDE OF FEDERAL'RESERVE BOARD. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. New' York, November 28. Leading bankers strongly criticise the action of the Federal Reserve Board. : Any effort.to curtail loans in America, they say, will havo the most serious effect in decreasing prosperity. It is not believed that the Board's action will interfere with- bankers granting tho Allies credits.