IMPERIAL UNITY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3033, 21 March 1917, Page 5

IMPERIAL UNITY

'POLITICAL AND FISCAL AUTONOMY

MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S IDEAS

London, March 19,

The "Manohester Guardian" has published an _ Empire Supplement in 'connection with the first meeting of the Imperial War Conference. In the leading article, discussing Empire unity, it says:—The war has shown: tliat the Dominions, in substance if not in form, are subject to immense liabilities without a corresponding control. They aided tho war spontaneously, and would probably do it again in lileo circumstances; but in the light .of past exporiencosthey ought not to bo asked to do so without consultation or being fully informed on tho polioy leading to the catastrophe ■■■ in which their help is sought. They ninst take a real part in shaping tho foreign policy of the Empire and organising its defence. Tho Dominions are more democratic than the Motherland, and want tho freedom of their development. Mr. Lloyd.George writes in tho issue: "The Imperial Cabinet felj; that it was imperative that the whole Empire should assist in arriving at certain impending decisions regarding war and peace which must be of decisive importance to the futuro of all tho peoples of tho Empire. Yet these meetings are merely evidence of- the .still greater changes war will produce in inter-Im-perial relations, Ihe full nature of whioh will not be apparent, and the consequences cannot be dealt with until after the war. As long as they enjoyed this within the Imperial pale they were content, but they would ,uot accept a unity which would thwart tho characteristic ' natural development. Any unification threatening the autono- | mpus national life of Motherland or Dominion would defeat itself. -Political autonomy must carry with it fiscal autonomy."

Mr. Lloyd George suggests that if tho Foreign Secretary became a member of the Imperial Council,/this would give the Empire representatives greater authority, over tho Foreign Seoretary than oven the House of. Commons oxercises._ If the representatives expressed dissatisfaction with his policy it would be as effective as any constitutional power under a more formal arrangement.

Mr. Massoy writes:—"We havo wasted our national; strength for over half a century' in allowing hundreds of thousands of emigrants to go to countries outside the Empire. We should now encourage our own people to occupy tho Empire's unoccupied lands. In matters of trade, also, we had seemingly considered every country's interests but our own."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. -■■.■' TRADE UNIOnTrGUMENTS (Roc. March 20, 10.45 p.m.) London, March 19. J. ho Trades Unions have issued, a memorandum setting out a series of arguments against colonial preference. It contends, inter alia, that the adoption of the scheme would cause disappointment and 'heart-burnings within the Dominions', and lead India to build up a protective tariff against manufacturers in Britain. It also contends that this policy is not reconcilable with the Paris Economic Con&ronce recommendations, and submits that tho taxation of.tho Allies' merchandise would weaken the allianco and cbsok common • action against German schemes.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable, Assn. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE TO BE OPENED BY MR. LLOYD . GEORGE. (Rec. March 21, 0.50 a.m.) London, March, 19. The Prime Minister (Mr. Lloyd George) will formally open the Imperial Conference, after which Mr. W. H. Long will preside. It has been decided that as far as possiblo the Imperial' War Cabinet and the Imperial Conference will meet on alternate dayß.-v Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Official: "A Franco-Italian air squadron bombarded Pola. A uumber of the enemy's aeroplanes bombed Grado, and did slight damage. The Italians' retaliated by bjrmbing the Lloyd yards at Trieste."—Reuter.