AFTER THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3127, 4 July 1917, Page 5

AFTER THE WAR

EMPIRE ORGANISATION PROBLEMS TO BE FACED DOMINIONS' RIGHTS MUST BE PRESERYH) In the course .of bis statement to the .House of Representatives yesterday the I'rime Minister referred to the deliberations of the War Conference in England uii the subject of Kmpire reorganisation alter the war.

Mr. Massey said that the conference had not dealt with the subject in Hie ordinary way. They had tho subject up for discussion, but tho conference was unanimously of opinion that while a. great deal was necessary it was impossible to do justice to the question in the war period. It was-therefore agreed taht a special conference lie convened representative of every country in the Empire to consider anything that might be necessary in regard to this question. This motion was moved by Sir Hobert Borden and carried. While the motion, was under discussion he expressed the opinion that the conference which it wiuj intended should be held should be made much more representative than had ever been attempted before. These questions ■were apt to be dealt with as party matters, and such great Imperial questions should be kept above party. He was of opinion that at the conference should lie present not only the Prime Minister but the leader of every constitutional Opposition in i. . Parliament of the Umpire. This ..„....d allow every side to bo represented, a.nl there could be 116 party criticism of the results of the conference.

Whatever might bo done in future for the better organisation of the Empire, he hoped that nothing would be done to interfere with the autonomy of the overseas dominions. He hoped the timo would ■ never come when any of our lights and privileges would be taken. ;wav. As a citizen not only of New Zealand but of the Empire, he would say that any interference with our rights and privileges would more likely tend to disintegration than to the unity of tho Umpire. A great countryman of his had said nearly 100 years ago, ' speaking of the .American colonies, that if (he British Empire was to bo held together it must bo held with, ties of silk, but stronger than steel. Those were the ties which ho hoped the Empire statesmen would bo able to bind. Tennyson had said that the British Constitution had broadened down from precedent to precedent, and it would go on broadening down from time to time to suit the circumstances and conditions of the Empire as thev arose. Certainly the Imperial AVav Cabinet was a very big step forward. ' While there had been before the war verv little talk of representation of the Dominions the question, was in the mouth of every British citizen to-day. British men who gave attention to public affairs appreciated what had been done by the Dominions, and said now that the Dominions should have a, voice in Imperial foreign policy and such matters of Empire concern, and that representatives of the Dominions should be Allowed to sit round the council table with British Ministers. This was tho feeling of the Government, the Parliament, and the people of Britain to-day. All were agreed that something must be done to give tho colonies representation, and in this connection lie had no hesitation in saying that New Zealand had more to fear from the rashness and impetuosity of some of the men who,, with tho best of good intentions; were, interesting themselves in tho matter than from any desire on the part of the British people to bolt and bar the door against them. They must proceed slowly. Any false step would be dangerous to the movement. ,•,..111. While he was willing to admit that everv individual had a right to Ins op-.n-ion.'he was utterly opposed to any alteration which would allow our finances to bo dealt with by any Parliament outside of this country. Money would be required for Imperial purposes, and every country of the Empire would find its share when the money was required, but the final decision of this question must rest with the Parliament of the part of the Empire finding the money. The time woutt come when there would be an institution representative of the whole of the Empire. He could not say what form it would take, but he did say that a most important advance hud been made, and he believed that tho nnal result would bo satisfactory to. the peoplo of this country.