BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 55, 29 November 1926, Page 9

BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

CHANGES RESULTING FROM IMPERIAL CONFERENCE FRENCH WRITERS COMMENTS POSITION OF DOMINIONS AND INDIA A French writer, commenting on the effect on Britain’s foreign policy of the Imperial Conference, says that such a question as the availability of territory for the surplus population of other countries must in future be referred to the ' Dominions, and not to Great Britain alone. He contends also that the giving to New Zealand of the right to conclude treaties and withholding it from India is humiliating to the latter. ’

By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright.

Paris, November 26.

The unobtrusive manner in which the changes in the relations between the Dominions and Great Britain were announced have made Continental commentators slow to realise the importance of the alterations in Great Britain’s foreign policy. . Mr. Jules Sauerwein, writing in “The Matin,” says: “Suppose under the pressure of population it becomes necessary to examine the question of what territories are available for Germany, Italy, or any other country with an expanding population, such a question can no longer be referred to Great Britain, but must be referred to the Dominions also. “The colonials throughout the world are difficult people to persuade to make a great fuss over a slice of territory at the -Antipodes, yet some day it mav be necessary to share up the territories of the globe on a fairer basis as the only wav of preventing sanguinary conflicts. Britain might be ready to make concessions, but the South African, Australian, and New Zealand Parliaments might arise as one man against the proposal.” M. Sauerwein adds: “While all Asia is in a ferment, the Imperial Conference makes a decision which is humiliating for India Whereas New Zealand can conclude treaties, India continues in a state of impotence and vassalage. Certain British Dominions already treat India offensivetv, yet this is a land where the microbe of Bolshevism will rfeadily grow.” COMMON DEFENCE NEEDS BIND EMPIRE Paris, November 26. “Pertinax,” writing in the “Echo de Paris,” applies the description “Fascite” to the British Empire, using the term in the derivative sense as of a composite bundle. The needs of common defence, he says, bind the Empire in a fasces. The' Imperia! Conference showed that the British League in some respects is keeping aloof of the .. Geneva League, and is determined to . .maintain its. integrity. . CONFERENCE NOT A “ONE MAN SHOW” EACH MEMBER PULLED HIS FULL WEIGHT TRIBUTE TO PREMIERS OF NEW ZEALAND London, November 26. "The Conference has not been a 'one-man show ’ There has been no outstanding .figure, such as Mr Chamberlain or Mr. Deakin On the contrary, it has been a team of which each member has pulled his full weight, Mr. Coates equallv with the others,” said the Secretary for Dominion Affairs (Mr L. C. M.S- Ameryfe in presiding at the British Empire League lunch in honour of Mr. Coates, to whom warm tributes were paid Mr. Amerv added that Mr. Coates was the successor to a line of Premiers, notably the late Mr Massey, whose traditions were always Imperial, whose word was always their bond, and who on all great issues facing the Empire stood side by side with Britain. They were prepared to give the best brains, money, and blood for .the. ideals of Empire. “Mr. Coates,” said Mr. Amery, “won the highest regard, affection, and esteem of his fel-low-delegates at the Conference" Mr. Coates in responding, said that New Zealand was ever-ready to help because the Empire had found the Imperial Conference practicallv constituted, of one Imperial mind, not disputations, and not differing in opinions where grave Imperial issues were concerned. “We always regarded . ourselves as autonomous members of the Empire,” said Mr. Coates “Nevertheless, we never forgot our indebtedness for the

protection of the British flag. New Zealand knows where she stands, and that is, alongside the Mother Country.” Mr. Coates paid a tribute to British Ministers’ contribution's to the Conference discussions, the result being that the British Dominions’ co-operation was a “gentleman’s agreement," of which every member of the Conference was proud. Earl Jellicoe proposed the health of Mr. Amery, whose statesmanlike vision, he said, had ensured the success of the Conference. FAREWELL TO DOMINION PRIME MINISTERS THE KING’S INTEREST IN CONFERENCE SATISFACTION OF DELEGATES (Rec. November 28, 5-5 p.m.) London, November 26. Two hundred, including members of Cabinet, enthusiastically farewelled the Dominion Prime Ministers at the Empire Parliamentary Association’s dinner at the House of Lords Mr Baldwin presided and read His Majesty’s reply to the Conference’s address; “The Queen and 1 warmly thank members oi Conference for their expression of fidelity and devotion. I followed with the closest interest the .Conlerence’s proceedings, and am convinced the leaders afforded - the Empire and the world a better understanding and clearer conviction of ‘what the Empire means. It has given me the utmost satisfaction to greet so many of my Ministers from the Dominions and to learn personally from them the problems and aspirations of my peoples overseas. The Queen and I treasure recollections of our visits to these lands as among the' happiest of our lives We wish members of the Conference God speed and a safe return.” Mr Baldwin, in proposing the toasting of “Overseas Visitors,” said the coming of the Conference this autumn had been the happiest thing that could have happened to England “We have been refreshed by the breath of optimism which the Dominion representatives brought Tliev have heartened cur future endeavours by the knowledge that thev are striving in all corners of the world, inspired by the same ideals. The Earl of Balfour’s reputation has been increased by his association with the historic Report of the Committee on inter-Imperial relations, which simple acknowledges that the Dominions have reached manhood and are fit to take up manhood’s responsibilities Gur aims have been to stress co-operation, not independence, defence, not conquest.” Mr. Coates said every delegate had left the conference with feelings of entire satisfaction. It was not so nt ch what was said or written, as Me personal contact This was the strongest influence of the Conference. He emphasised that each Dominion ha 1 equal rights and status, and freclv ri'.-rinter] one with another; furthermore, each now understood the other’s viewpoint, which was most valuable. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HONOURS MR. COATES (Rec. November 28, 5.5 p.r.i.l London, Noveinbei 2< To the cooeeing of students it. the galleries, Mr Coates received fhe degree of Doctor of Law of ambrdge University The public orator in his customary Latin speech ret erred to tie Prime Minister’s bovhood. when he drove cattle with the same patience %nd courage as he later guided the Luman flock. Sir Ernest and Lady Rutherford entertained the Premier and party, also thirtv New Zealand students.