IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2964, 30 December 1916, Page 7

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

MARKS A DISTINCT ADVANCE

• London, December 28. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, in on interview, said the decision to call overseas representatives to a War Cabinet marks a distinct advance, by giving the Dominions a share in the management of purely Imperial matters. He believed it would give satisfaction throughout the Dominions, and be good for the Empire as a whole. "It really means that for the first time we will have an Empire Cabinet, which will also have an opportunity of dealing with matters that ordinarily come before the Imperial Conference."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assiw NEW GAME OF EMPIRE INTERVIEW WITH SIR JOSEPH WARD London, December 28. | Sir Joseph Ward, speaking of the Imperial Conference, said: "The invitation is broad enough, and may easily cover a wider range than it seems, to indicate; We are now about to play a new game of Empire diplomacy, and it is wise to play it behind closed doors." He'believed that Mr. Lloyd George was inclined to go much further than Mr. Asquith in Imperial affairs, particularly with rcgarfl to Imperial preference: Let him make the forthcoming conference a starting point for a permanent Empire Council.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INCLUSION OF INDIA WELL-MERITED RECOGNITION London, December 28: The inclusion of India in the Imperial has attracted special attention, and is regarded as a well-merited recognition of the loyalty and services of India. It is recalled in some quarters that ilie Dominion Tress favourviewed Viscount Hardinge's claim in 1915 that India should be given fuller, status at the Imperial Conference. The "Daily Telegraph" regards the Conference as the Empire's reply to premature peace talk. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

INDIA'S RIGHTS REWARD FOR LOYALTY ■ \ ■■ ■• . London, December 28. The Bight Hon.. "W. I<\ Massey considers the magnificent loyalty of India and the splendid valour of her sons have given her the right to share in the deliberations regarding the prosecution of the war.—Aus.-N.Z.- Cable' Assu. . ' ' OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO THE FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE • (Rec. December 30, 0.30 a.m.) Melbourne, December 29. Mr. Irvine considers the invitation to the Imperial Conference of most vital importance to the future of the Empire, and particularly to Australia. He considers that all other considerations should give way to the question of representation. v

It is expected that Mr. Hughes will disclose his intentions next week after the Liberal Party has discussed the position.—Press \4ssn..