THE LION'S CUBS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 64, 8 December 1917, Page 9

THE LION'S CUBS

OVERSEAS DOMINIONS AND THE WAR WARM TRIBUTES TO THEIR ASSISTANCE (Rcc. December 7, 6.45 p.m.) London, December 6. The Empire Parliamentary Associa-. tion, on the motion of Mr. Long (Minister for the Colonies), adopted a resolution expressing-the admiration of tho manner in which the orerseas nations had provided men, money, and material for the war. The overseas democracies had risen to a full appreciation oftheir' responsibilities, and tho Association was convinced that the sacrifices and sufferings endured would result in an even more complete understanding her tween the Parliaments of the Empire. Mr. Lowther (Speaker of the House of Commons), who was presiding, paid a tribute to the prowess and daring of tho overseas troops. When the clash of arms ceased jireat constitutional questions would arise. "I hope the Association will play ah important part in the organisation of the policy and administration between the Motherland and the rest of the Empire." Mr. Long raid that it was the duty of the Empire to prepare' for closer union. The holding of an Imperial War Cabinet had been a great step forward. How great were the benefits to bo derived none had yet'realised.' "In this immense Empire,, with its tremendous potentialities, wo want to make greater use of its brains. The great self-gov-erning nations are not jealous; they are not afraid'; hut they are jtenacious of

their control of their own affairs, which tho.y will never gire tip. Nobody lias yet indicated the lines on which federation should really go. Thero must not be undue hurry. Wo must give the subject our fullest attention. The main suggestions must come from tho self-governing peoples. We will be thankful to see at our. right hand representative Ministers from overseas." ; Mr. Herbert Samuel, seconding tho motion, said that something, in the nature of an Imperial Executive was wanted, with consultative and initiative powers, leaving tho enactment to the various sovereign bodies of the Empire. Mr. Adamson, on behalf of Labour, said that the way in which, the overseas democracies had acted in tho war was an object-lesson to the wholo world. The bond of race had stood the strain, which had surprised our enemies, while Labour in tho overseas Dominions had also played its part. It was vitally important to tho Motherland and tho Allies that tho British Dominions might have a greater share in shaping Imperial policy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ——————