COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 280, 20 August 1921, Page 7

COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS

AN AMAZING ORGANISATION DOMINIONS’ VOICE IN EMPIRE COUNCILS GROWTH OF IMPERIAL UNITY By Telegraph—Prow Association—Copyright (Rec. August 19, 7.45 p.m.) London, August 18. Mr. Lloyd George, in tho House of Commons, made a statement regarding the Imperial Conference. He stated that tha last few years had witnessed a remarkable development in the constitution and growth of the Empire. The aid which the Dominions gave the Motherland astonished not only the world, but the greatest Empire enthusiaste in this country. The whole course bf human events had been altered, because the Empire waa a proved fact, and not a fiction, as some had thought. The Dominions came to our help in 1914 in support of a policy in which they had no voice. Tho Motherland uas now glad to have their opinions in fashioning her future policy. Tho main factor in the way of securing unity of the Empire by means of the conference was an improvement of oommunications, which was now receiving earnest consideration. Naval defence would be considered by the different Parliaments, from whom any proposals must come, The Conference had agreed that the Empire must have a naval force equal to that of any other country. They unanimously recognised that the Anglo-Japanese Treaty waa faithfully and loyally observed by Japan during the war. Was it suggested that Great Britain should now turn round, and say to Japan, "Thank you for the trouble you have taken, but we don t want you any longer"?

Cries of No! Mr. Lloyd George: The British Empire must behave like a gentleman The Premier went on to say that he did not see why it should be impossible to fulfil our obligations to Japan, and, at the same time, observe a spirit of fraternity to the United States. If the latter and Japan could combine on problems in the Pacific, that would be a great event, and a guarantee for the peace of tho world in the surest way. Success in the disarmament conference could lie reached through an understanding on the Pacific question. Ho was still hopeful that this would ensue at the Washington conference. He bad frankly discussed foreign policy. A member; Ireland! The Prpmier: No, not Ireland, that is not the sort of question you can go into of your own free will Mr. Lloyd George added: We don t want to interfere in the Dominions’ internal affairs nor they in ours, but they want to feel that they are part of this amazing organisation, which is the first of its kind the world has ever seen. Sir Donald Maclean (Liberal Party leader) welcomed the decision not to reduce the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Nations to a written basis, which would be destructive of its development on really great lines. He hoped that tho Premier would be able to attend the Washington conference.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.