DOMINIONS' STATUS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 34, 4 November 1920, Page 5

DOMINIONS' STATUS

ADDRESS *BY SIR JAMES ALLEN ON SAMOAN MANDATE

NEED FOR CQ-ORDINATION

OF EMPIRE VIEWS

PEACE TERMS CONDEMNED BY SIR

JOSEPH WARD Hy lelocrim-Prcii Association-Copyright ; (Rec. November 3, 9/25 p.m.).... London, November- 2. Lord Liverpool presided at the Colonial Institute; when Sir James Allen read a paper on the mandate for Western Samoa, dwelling on the new status which the Dominions had acquired linger the Peace Treaty. Sir James Allen favoured 1 the .fullest and freest discussion of this development, even before the next Imperial Conference, in order thab the Conference might have the advantage of the best brains in the Empire. He regarded the suggestion o£ an Imperial Parliament as impracticable, while the Imperial Conference was ephemeral. They wanted some form of Imperial Council, where Empire views could bo co-ordinated, and to advise the Crown on, all Empire questions. Referring fo the mandates, ho said there were divergent views as to the authority whence the Dominions receive their mandates, and whether they should legislate in their own Parliaments, or whether it was not more in accord with Imperial ideals to utilise the legislation already provided by tho Imperial Parliament. Sir James Allen instanced South Africa treating her mandate as coming from tho Allied Associated Powers, while New Zealand utilised tho Imperial Act, known as tho Foreign Jurisdiction Act. These differences showed the-need for the League of Nations defining the position. The Covenant seemed to contemplate direct communication with, the Leaguo as regards reports on working mandates, but the system was likely to lead to difficulties, owing to the contrary views expressed by the separate Dominions under one Crown. South Africa suggested an examination of reports to the League's Council, through a sort of clearing-house in London. . Sir James Allen outlined' the work New Zealand was already doins ill Samoa. Ho looked forward to the day when Sanmans might become, like Maoris, members of the New Zealand Parliament.

Lord Liverpool whole-heartedly concurred with Sir James Allen, and said the absolute liquor prohibition in Samoa was. equally _ applicable to the whites as to' the natives. ,

Sir Joseph Ward followed somewhat 6ensationollv. inciting the enthusiasm of the audience by denouncing the mandatory system, condemning President Wilson's participation in the Peace Conference. attacking the secrecy of Imperial Conferences; and advocating an elective Imperial Council, which should sit publicly. He said that, speaking from an experience .of many conferences, whenever there- was a discussion of importance to the Dominions which affected British politics it was marked secret and confidential. "What right have the rulers of Britain to prevent the people' of the Dominions knowing what their representatives are; saying or doing?" He rejoiced that Sir James Allen had characterised the Imperial Conference as' ephemeral. He wanted Samoa handed over unconditionally to New Zealand or Britain, and similarly New Guinea to be handed to Australia or Britain. Otherwise. when Germany joined the League of Nations , she would, participate equally m Hie administration' of Samoa and l New Guinea. President Wilson should never have been present at the Conference any more than the King. With-' out President Wilson tliero i would lmve been no mandatories. Owinpr to President Wilson's persistence, the Peace Conference was compelled to accept the mandatories. otherwise a settlement would have been impossible. The peace terms contained the germs of a new war.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.