EQUALITY IN STATUS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 50, 23 November 1926, Page 9

EQUALITY IN STATUS

ROOT PRINCIPLE GOVERNING IMPERIAL RELATIONS EVERY DOMINION MASTER OF ITS DESTINY ELOQUENT SEAL ON THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE The report of the inter-imperial Relations Committee has set an eloquent seal on this year’s Imperial Conference by stating: “Every Dominion is now a self-governing member of the Empire and master of its destiny.” It adds that the Dominions “are autonomous communities within the British Empire, equal in stature, and in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations.” The report is generally regarded by the Press of Britain as an historic one.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

London, November 21

“Every Dominica is now a self-gov-erning member of the Empire and master of its destiny.” ' This sentence from the report of the Inter-lmpenal Relations Committee yesterday sets an eloquent seal on the Imperial Conference of 1926. Not that it proclaims a new doctrine. Its significance lies in the simple statement of fact, and there is the further fact that the doctrine enunciated permeates the whole report. “Every Dominion is now master of its destiny.” How much this is so will be realised upon a close study of the report, which acknowledges that the Empire “defies classification and does not bear resetnblance to any other political organisation which now exists, or has ever been tried.” Moreover, it affirms that the Dominions "are autonomous communities within the British Empire, equal in stature, and in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations.” The report proceeds: “Free institutions are the Empire’s lifeblood, cooperation is its instrument, and peace, security, and progress are among its objects. Aspects of al! these great themes have been discussed at the pre-> sent conference, and excellent results thereby attained. Though every Dominion is now and must always remain the sole judge of the nature and extent of its co-operation, no common cause will, in our opinion, be imperilled. Equality in status as far as Britain and the Dominions are concerned is thus the root principle governing our Imperial relations.” It will be gathered that a master hand was employed in drafting the report,

a hand and brain used rarely, but alwa y s effectively, namely, the Earl of Balfour’s; but equally it should be understood that the report was subjected to revision, and finally endorsed unanimously by all the Premiers before it was presented to the world, which already, as far as the Press

reflects opinion, has recognised it as an historic document. CHANGE IN THE KING’S TITLE. Naturally attention here was attracted by the change in the King’s title, recajjing Disraeli’s profering "Empress of India” to Queen Victoria. So. deeply is Royalty and its titles interwoven in English life that the mere suggestion of a change in title stirs ’the imagination. Nevertheless, new emphasis on Empire unitv overtops all other aspects of the Report. It is safe to forecast that Englishmen will wake to-morrow with a new consciousness of a glorious inheritance shared by far distant lands, for let there be no doubt the Report creates a new orientation and the Empire realises to-dav its power and potentialities no less than Rome in the davs of Augustus Caesar. With this Report, restrained yet eloquent, the Empire awakens into a new consciousness of its dignity and strength. This is reflected not onlv in the document itself but in its treatment by the Press. Spontaneously and without exception the delicate manner in which constitutional difficulties are handled is realised everywhere.. . i The distinction in the relationship of the King to Governors-Generat, and the Home to Dominion Governments, is recognised as wisetv drawn and certain to facilitate inter-imperial relations. The Govemors-General will henceforth represent the King as Sovereign, but not the British Government or any British Department of State. POSITION REGARDING TREATIES. Similarly, the position is cleared up regarding treaties. In future, if any treaty is made in the name of the King, British units on behalf of which the treaty is signed will be grouped in the following order:— Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all parts of the Empire which are not separate members of the League of Nations. Canada. Australia. New Zealand. South Africa. The Irish Free State. . India. THIS CONFERENCE HISTORIC. The ''Observer” sums up its opinion by saying that the Report makes this year’s meeting historic. Mr. Bruce, interviewed by the "Sunday Express,” said: “The Report is a joint production, but it expresses my view in the ‘Sunday Times’ that the old conception of Britain as a par ent nation or globe, round which satellite Dominions revolved, is finally swept away.”

GENERAL HERTZOG’S INFLUENCE

A SOUTH AFRICAN’S OPINION

ATTITUDE OF BRITISH PRESS

REPORT GENERALLY APPROVED \ (Rec. November 22, 6.50 p.m.) London. November 22. The newspapers generally approve the Imperial relations report, the "Daily Herald” alone characterising it as a masterpiece of evasion which produced a few high-sounding phrases, and advised changes in the formulae, but avoided every real problem which

arises from the present anomalous relations between Britain and the Dominions. The “Herald” comments: “It is ludicrous that the committee feared to tackle such a question as appeals to the Privy Council.” The* “Daily Express” says the report leaves the position regarding Imperial relations much as before, “but this is the best thing that could happen The country will welcome negative results, because it realises the seemingly paradoxical truth that the more loosely knit the British Empire is the more securely are the parts bound together?’

(Rec. November 22, 8.55 p.m.) - London, November 22. “The Times” referring to the Imperial Conference says: “The members of the present Conference unquestionably regard it as an unusual success. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other pepoles of the Empire have grown to nationhood under different impulses. There is hardlv a common denominator. If then the Prime Ministers of so many heterogeneous communities are really satisfied, that is far more important than the signatures to any single document. The report on interImperial relations is courageous,_ ingenious and comprehensive, but it is a register of existing conditions rather than a programme for ' the future. Wisely it makes no attempt to recommend uniformityThe “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says it is surprising that there is no reference to direct representation on the League of Nations Council. GREAT INTEREST IN UNITED STATES A JUDICIOUS AGREEMENT (Rec. November 22. 8.55 p.m.) New York, November 21. The Imperial Conference report, which is arousing great interest throughout America, is being prominently displayed in most of the newspapers. It also calls forth much editorial comment. The “Boston Herald” says: “Now members of the British Commonwealth of Nations know what they are, and happy will be the whole commonwealth if every member remains faithful to this judicious agreement.” _ The “New York Times,” in pointing out that the Dominions are necessarily to some extent conducting foreign relations, says that this has been done already in the case of Canada, and may yet be. done in similar fashion with Australia and South Africa. It concludes: “A close inspection shows that little is proposed except to make the old Empire move easily in the new world. There are no hard and fast rules about the Empire. That is one reason whv it emerges from, crisis after crisis’stronger than ever.” The “New York World’ says: “To Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand this is a charter of nationhood.”

The “Chicago Tribune” comments onlv upon the kinematograph discussions at the Conference, and remarks, "Members apparently are afraid of our movies.”

(Rec. November 22, 8.55 p.m.) New York, November 21

In an interview with the “New York Times,” Mr. Eric Leuw, Trade Commissioner for South Africa in the United States, says: “The Imperial Conference Report is largely due to General Hertzog. He was, of course, aided by other Prime Ministers, but I believe I am safe in saying that if he had not gone to London the Report would not have been made.” Mr. Leuw added: "The idea of a common Kingship uniting the Dominions with Britain is also in accordance with General Hertzog’s ideas. The tie that binds the Dominions is the King. We are ruled by the King and not by the British Government. I cannot, of course, tell how foreign Governments will receive the declaration in the Report, bnt I believe they will make a considerable difference in the relations between foreign Governments and the Dominions in the future.” Mr. Leuw observed that General Hertzog’s position formerly had been somewhat misunderstood, but he leaves the Conference with his prestige much enhanced. GERMAN PRESS COMMENTS “A VERITABLE LEAGUE OF NATIONS” (Rec. November 22, 7.35 p.m.) Berlin, November 22. The Press gives the greatest prominence to the British Imperial Conference Report. The "Vossische Zeitung” says: "It reconstructs the Empire as a veritable League of Nations, and is a victory for the Federalist standpoint as maintained in Ireland and South Africa It virtually secures the continued existence of the Empire. The Governors-General will cease to be mere mail - arriers of the Colonial Office.** The paper adda

FILMS SERIOUS SITUATION

FOREIGN PICTURES MISLEADING

that the change “may be made with a view to reserving the Governorships for members of the Royal Family.”

London, November 21.

The Economic Sub-Committee has passed a resolution recognising that it is most important that a larger and increasing proport’on of the films exhibited throughout the Empire shoudr be of Empire production. It commends the matter for consideration by the Governments concerned, with a view to early and effective action, so as to deal with the serious situation now existing. The report points out that the proportion of Empire films to the total shows Britain with f> per cent., Australia 8 per cent., New Zealand 10 per cent., Canada 1.3 per cent. In foreign pictures the conditions and habits of the peoples of British countries are not always represented faithfully and sometimes they are misrepresented. Possible measures to alleviate the position suggested are by means of Customs duties, Empire preference, legislation preventing blind booking, and the requirement of a minimum quota of Empire productions. The report emphasises the fact that Government action cannot be rffective unless Empire producers show sufficient enterprise, resource, and adaptability in marketing films of real competitive an dexhibition value. Secondly, it is an essential condition of development that there must be effective distributing arrangements throughout the Empire, with inter-imperial co-oper-ation wherever possiile. It is suggested that a useful purpose would be served if the Governments arranged to exchange information regarding the progress of the production of films in their territories.

The report embodies the significant observation that Britain is the Empire’s largest film producers’ market, taken there would be of the greatest assistance to the Dominions in coping with the problem. A final recommendation approves the extension of the production of educational films depicting the conditions and resources of the Empire. WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION

SUB-COMMITTEE’S REPORT London, November 21.

The Imperial Conference Sub-com-mittee on Workmen’s Compensation reported on its inquiries into the position of aliens, seamen, and non-resi-dents and the inter-imperial transfer of moneys. Two resolutions were adopted, of which the first recommends the several Governments of the Empire to consider the desirability of putting into effect last year’s international Labour Conference’s draft convention. This provides an extension of benefits to aliens whose Governments are prepared to reciprocate. The second resolution expresses the opinion that arrangements should' be made to' transfer apyment to that part of the Empire wh erethe beneficiary resides, and invites the Governments to legislate accordingly. Regarding the position of seamen registered in the Dominions, it s pouted out that Australian leigslation extends compensation to seamen injured outside Australian waters, whereas the Canadian law does not. It is suggested that the Australian example should be followed. It was noted in the resolution of the 1923 conference relating to non-residents that it had been incorporated in the laws of the Dominions generally. It may now be said that no British subject, permanently incapacitated anywhere in the Empire, is excluded from compensation owing to his removal to other parts.