THE IMPERIAL ROUND TABLE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 242, 1 July 1918, Page 8

THE IMPERIAL ROUND TABLE

MR. MASSEY ON OVERSEAS REPRESENTATION QUESTION OP A RESIDENT MINISTER ■ (Itec. June' 2D, 5.5 p.m.) London, June 28. In the course of an interview, Mr. Masaey (Prime Minister of New Zealand) said: "By these meetings the Imperial War Cabinet is practically framing a constitution that will go on improving, developing, broadening down from precedent to precedent for centuries to come, thus giving British citizens in the Dominions thai; right to representation in Imperial ; anairs to which they are indisputably entitled. They havo never before had a say, and now for the- first .time aro placed on an equality with iho United Kingdom. As theso sittings continue possibilities of improvement, will bo take'n advantage of. There is no doubt in my mind that when the war ends the Imperial Cabinet will continue. I believe, that arrangements will bo made for an annual session. I think the princi- ; cal Dominions will have resident Ministers here, silting as members of tho ; Imperial Cabinet. New Zealand has not , considered the question of Slaving a ':' Minister here for tho duration of tho war, "as Canada has done, and as it is suggeiled Australia may do. The duties of a residont Minister would be more political than commercial. The High Commissioner would doubtless remain as our representative, on the business side. It is essential that the political representation should be n member of the Government of tho .Dominion he represents. So far as I am able to jndgo the British Ministers and leading statesmen are favourable to this view, nnd aro prepared to allow tho Dominions a full say on all Imperial matters. This .proposal would not interfere with any conception of an Imperial Federation."— Eeuter.