The Dominion FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1918. A NECESSARY COMPROMISE.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 43, 15 November 1918, Page 4

The Dominion FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1918. A NECESSARY COMPROMISE.

4 The immediate political problem ;o be faced in this country is that )f reconciling two conflicting claims, neither of which can be set wide. The whole situation, as regards both domestic and external affairs,, is, of. course,- governed by the termination of hostilities in the world war and the near approach 1 of peace. The result is at once to bring all-important questions of domestic policy into the foreground and to make it' necessary that prompt measures should be taken to ensure the representation of the Dominion at the Pea-ce Conference and on other bodies, notably the Imperial ■ War Cabinet, whose deliberations may in a most important degree affect its decisions. Demobilisation will begin in the comparatively near future, and in providing for the smooth progress of repatriation and preparing the country as far as possible to cope with, conditions which in some respects will mark a complete break from those which ruled before the war there is plenty of work to keep the- Government and Parliament fully occupied for a long time to coine. On the other hand the adequate representation of the Dominion at the Peace Conference is absolutely necessary. We are just as much'interested in the peace that is to be made as we were in the war, and although some satisfactory assurances have, been given—notably that of the British Government that it will resolutely oppose the return to Germany of her former colonies -nothing can be taken for granted in regard to this or any other matter involved until the terms of peace have actually been drawn up. \ The essential conditions preliminary to a just peace have been established. The Allies are in a position to dictate their terms. But there is still much to be done, both in regard to issues of the first magnitude and to innumerable matters of detail, before 'the Allies will be able to lay down a clear set of conditions which they are unitedly prepared to support and enforce. With matters at this stage it is every whit as necessary that- the Dominions should be represented in the Allied councils until the actual conditions of peace have been determined as it has been .hitherto that they should be represented by their troops in the field. Like the other British Dominions, New Zealand must to the end set its face determinedly against any return of the German colonies, and show an equally firm front in regard to other questions affecting its interests and future welfare. The Dominions' are vitally concerned in all questions of national armament and disarmament, more especially, as these questions bear upon tho maintenance and protection .of sea communications. The same is true of questions affecting trade, shipping, emigration, and other things which will be reviewed at the. Peace Conference and will be the subject of decisions of farTeaching importance. It is a matter of common sense that while these decisions which will so greatly affect their future are being shaped the Dominions in their standing and degree of importance should make their weight tell with all possible effect. It would, of course, be taking up an entirely false , attitude to suggest that the Dominions arc called upon to safeguard themselves against a deliberate invasion oi

their rights, or even a deliberate , neglecfc of their interests. The actual position is that they have a definite part to play in developments which are changing the whole - basis of national and international life, and can no niore afford to neglect these developments than the . most urgent questions of domestic policy. Our justification for securing representation at the Peace Conference is simply that it will deal with our affairs. While there is no .doubt that the interests of the Ddriiinibn demand that it should make its voice heard when the conditions of peace are being determined), it is , equally clear . that this cannot be arranged, without creating an awkward situation in the field of domestic. politics. Apparently it is an understood thing in political circles that on this as on earlier occasions Me. • Massey and Sib Joseph Ward are • to proceed to Europe in company, No doubt they will have to take their-departure within a few weeks, and this implies a severe contraction of the working scope of the session. The weeks that remain arailr able are likely to be an exceedingly a busy time for Ministers and members of Parliament. Indeed the in- • tcreste of the country will be gi'avely injured unless Parliament in the next few weeks bestirs itself in an altogether exceptional fashion. It j is i emphatically a time to dispense J with mere talk and concentrate on 1 actual work. Members are bound . before they adjourn to assure them- - selves that affairs arc in train.for f the smooth progress and developI ment of repatriation on a big scale. ' t Extraordinary political exigencies .'. afford no excuse for in any way t neglecting or imperilling the in- ■■ terests of our soldiers returning from the war, and although a good ■ deal has been done towards setting up the machinery of repatriation the work is in some respects visibly .° incomplete. For instance, it still J] remains to provide p-n efficient centralised control over repatriation . activities. The Government is now I I proposing to set up a Ministerial If Board of Repatriation consisting ofj. the Ministers of Defence, Lands, !. Agrioultuhe, arid Education, but it i- is perhaps doubtful whether such a , Board will be of much service, conp sidoring the exceptional calls that [] arc likely to be made upon its members in their capacity as individual g Ministers. This is one of several matters connected with repatriation : g which call for careful consideration [ s by Parliament. It is very necessary also that befoi'6 the session ends r something substantial should be done towards forwarding general development works. The liquor question will also liiive to receive attention.' Those, with recurring nnd highly important items of business which must be dealt with, constitute an extraordinarily heavy programme for the time available. If members are to do their duty 1B they must attack the work in hand °' in the spirit of unity for which f j Mr. Lloyd Gkorgk is appealing in ug Great Britain, and with a readiness to sink petty differences in order that the , interests of the Dominion may bo faithfully served.