The Dominion MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1921. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 227, 20 June 1921, Page 4

The Dominion MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1921. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

The Imperial Conference, or Conference of Prime Ministers, which opens to-day, is destined obviously to mark a milestone in the history of the Empire. A. stage has been reached at which it has evidently become necessary to deal in practical and definite fashion with questions which for years past have been the subject of more or less academic debate. It is true that any discussion at the present Conference of constitutional relationships within the Empire will be preliminary to a fuller discussion of. this subject at a special Constitutional Conference to be held later, and it is now suggested that the discussion of Imperial naval defence may be postponed with a view to summoning a conference of the British Pacific Dominions. America, and Japan to review the international problems' raised in the Pacific. If the last-mentioned step is taken, Ihe question of renewing the AngloJapanese Alliance would presumably also be deferred. Although however, the Imperial Conference cannot be expected to reach finality on even the main questions figuring on its agenda, it is manifestly called upon to deal with these questions from a practical standpoint, and in such a way as to hasten their settlement. The common into rn sts. of the countries forming the Empire, demand that, in a. number of directions. and particularly as regards constitutional relationships and naval defence, there should be an end of purely academic debate and of delays which leave matters exactly whore they were. Assuming the most purposeful efforts, nrogress in developing a policy making for the unity and soeuritv of the Empire may be anything but, easy, but the necessity of aiming at results of practical value from this standpoint is very clearly marked. It may appear, however, that a decision to postpone, immed'de consideration of the naval defence of the Empire .in order to call a conference of Pacific countries to review their common problems is in every way consistent with a determination to arrive as speedily as possible at a. of effective unity in Imperial policy. Although in some of the other Dominions close Imperial unity is not as solidly sunported by virtually the whole population as.it is in New Zealand. the weight of opinion in all the Dominions decisively favours a united. Empire. This in a irrent, measure modifies any uneasiness that otherwise rniirht he occasioned by the loose Political relationship in which the. Dominions are linked with the United Kingdom. It seems quite plain that any attempt, to set up an Imperial authority legislating for the whole Empire is, as the Prime Minister of Australia (Mb. W. M. Hughes) has said, completely at variance with the principle of autonomy on which the British Commonwealth of nations rests. The representatives of the United Kingdom and those of the .Dominions are not likely to have much difficulty in deciding that the best, method of strengthening political relationships within the Empire is to enlarge and improve the existing facilities for consultation and cooperation. Problems in some respects more urgent and more difficult are raised in ”evard to naval defence. Recent cablegrams touchincr on the attitudes of different delegations to the Conference towards this question have merely emnhasised the familiar fact t,bat rather divnrge.nt views on Imperial naval policy are entertained in different parts Af the Emn.ire. The broad position’so far as the Dominions are concerned is that Australia and New Zealand, ns might be expected from their relatively exposed position, arc more anxious to .arrive at a definite understanding in regard to a common policy of naval defence than Canada and South Africa.. The attitude of the Canadian Prime Minister (Ata. Meighf.n), who has stated that Canada’s financial position prohibits her embarking on an.v substantial naval programme At present, is markedly at variance with that of Mr.. Hughes and Mr. Massey. It, may be honed, however, that discussion will show that the representatives of the different Dominions are less seriously at variance than some of their reported preliminary observations would suggest, Their first step obviously must be to find how far they occupy common ground, and their next to ascertain how far they are able to go in adjustment and compromise. Presumably the representatives of all the Dominions will agree that the maintenaiice of an adequate Navy is vital to the security of the Empire. It is quite obvious that Britain cannot be expected to go on shouldering the unfair share of the total burden she carries to-day. Tn regard Io what, constitutes an adequate Navy, opinion may differ widely, but here again all should he able to .agree that it is impossible for the Empire to maintain a Navy relatively as strong as the British Naw was before the war, and that even if ibis were possible, it would bo neither wise nor expedient. The only other Powers at pro. sent, able to compete serious.lv with Britain in naval strength are America and Japan; and, as Mm. Austen Ckambercatn- remarked in a speech which is reported to-day, a new comnolilion in armaments between Britain and America, would ho a tragedy, not merely to both counfrUs, but fo civilisation. On perfectly reasonable grounds, arising out of her contact and friendly relations with the United States, Canada regards the United States, not, as a menace, but as a positive safeguard. It remains a condition of Imperial unitv, however, that Canada, should take her part with other Dominions of the Emnire in providing for its naval defence. The disclosed attitude of her Government, however, emphasises the imperative necessity From the standpoint of practical Imperial policy of arriving at such an understanding with other naval Powers as will limit the naval obligations of the Emnire. Such an understanding is to be desired on all grounds, and not least ns tending to. simplify [ agreement, within the Empire on the |

subject of naval defence. If the three naval Powers are able to agree upon a basis of limitation, they will be individually at least as secure as if they were maintaining colossal navies, and will escape the crushing burdens a competition, in armaments would entail. In the case of the British Empire such an ii>X?ement need not conflict with the maintenance of an adequate Navy, and it, would tend to remove what otherwise might prove to be. a serious ground of dissension. It seems 4 possible that discussion behind the scenes may already have done something to pave the way for an agreement on these lines, and that there mav be good grounds for the report cabled to-day .that Mrt. Lloyd Geokge will support a proposal to postpone the discussion of Imperial naval defence until the Pacific countries have been brought together in conference.