The Dominion. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1918. IMPERIAL CONSULTATIONS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1918. IMPERIAL CONSULTATIONS

— -Q —• It is now evident that tho Pkime Minister was guilty oi no exaggeration when he intimated last week that the meeting of the Imperial War Cabinet and Conference this year might require very important alterations in the arrangements to bo niade in this Dominion. A further statement by Mr. Massey whicti is published to-day shows that it has been definitely decided that the Imperial representatives shall assemble at London in June.. So far as New Zealand is concerned this necessarily breaks into the ordinary arrangements for thei annual Parliamentary session, opening at nie end of June, and it is proposed oy the Government that Parliament should meet for a short session in April. Presumably the underlying idea is that comparatively littlo oi the work of the year can be under- ' taken by Parliament before Mr. I Massey and the Finance Minister I leavo for London, and that much of I it will necessarily be postponed until, i after their return. It is, of course, regrettable that the national affairs of the Dominion should be thrown to this extent out. of gear and that our political leaders should be callI r»d away at a time when unprecc- ; dented calls are made locally upon their attention and energies. But it is quite evident that the summons to London could not possibly be disregarded. A critical stage has been reached in tho war; issues of tho first magnitude arc likely to come up for determination m the near future, and it is absolutely necessary that all tho Dominions should bo adequately represented when these issues arc determined. Jt goes without saying that local affairs and

local duties, however important they may be in themselves, must stand second to such a call as has now tome from London. It was stated in a. cablegram from London yesterday that the War Cabinet regards the forthcoming consultations between tho British and Overseas Ministers as vital and imperative. Support for this opinion appears in the existing aspect of the war. Thcro is no doubt much in tho, way of war and after-',var policy that calls for further discussion, hut in addition the subject of pcace, with all tho issues it involves, has come distinctly to the fore since British and Dominion representatives last conferred at a common council table.

The further duration of the war is still a matter of peculation, but it is evidently incumbent on tho Allies to leave nothing unprepared against tho day when peace becomes possible. It is as necessary that they should complete their preparations for peace as that they should resolutely refuse to be tricked or befooled by tho enemy's attempts to gain peace on his own terms. The British Dominions have a definite part to play at this time, not merely in adding their weight to the determination of all the Allies to enforce a just _ peace, but in concentrating attention upon issues in which they aro particularly interested, though not necessarily on selfish grounds. A question of vital importance in this category is that of the fate of tho German colonies.. In this matter as well as where, even larger issues are concorned our own representatives and those of other Dominions may do much to promote the effective understanding which is necessary if the Empire is to make its weight tell to the utmost in promoting a just settlement of the war and a lasting peace. Under the arrangements now planned Parliament will have very little time in which to deal with Imperial or other questions before Mb. Massey and Sin Joseph Ward leave for London. A very short session of something like thrco weeks is contemplated in April, and some time will necessarily be spent in discussions relating to the extension of Supply and other necessary preparations for the postponement of the ordinary session. The scope for effective discussion o£ war questions is limited also by the inevitable absence of detail information in regard to some of the most crucial issues now raised. But Parliament will no doubt be afforded an opportunity of discussing, as far as circumstances permit, some of the main questions which will come up for consideration _in London. If a reasonable spirit prevails such a discussion can only strengthen the hands of the Prime Minister and his colleague in what will probably prove to be tho most important mission ever undertaken by representatives of this Dominion.