The Dominion. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1944. THE CONFERENCE DECLARATION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 198, 19 May 1944, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1944. THE CONFERENCE DECLARATION

The conference of Prime Ministers that has just been held in London has enabled the political leaders of British people the world over to exercise that frank and full exchange of opinion necessary for what General Smuts has termed “fundamental thinking” with respect to world problems. The conference was not, as Mr. Churchill was at some pains to make clear, an Imperial Conference like those held from time to time in past years, but an occasion for an explanation of the position and contributory powers of each country to a common cause and an investigation by those primarily responsible for fitting their agreed policy with relation to foreign affairs into the wider frame of international politics. Today the position is in a state of flux, but it is realized, aud not by British communities only, that the British Empire must be a great stabilizing influence in the post-war world. As the nations approach “this long process of working out solutions,” the solidarity and strength of the British Empire will become more and more essential, and probably that is why the Prime Ministers so carefully reviewed their methods of consultation. Mr. Curtin, to that end, had proposed the creation of a permanent secretariat and had advocated more or less regular meetings if possible in the various Dominion capitals, but the conference has decided that the system, as developed during the war years, is sufficient for present requirements, there beipg the clear itnplication that the wartime practice will be continued in post-war>years. That is the typically British way—to meet the need as it arises, for, as a Minister stated recently in the House of Commons the Empire is “a growing organism, and like all growing bodies subject to constant change.” The desire for ever closer relations—some very able advocates urging a limited constitutional union—within the Empire is widespiead and probably was never stronger. But it will continue to be a matter of gradual growth. Twice in a generation the unity of the British Empire has been tested by world war, and it has been one of the most powerful factors in bringing about the defeat of aggression. The policy, or system, that could produce those convincing results must be peculiarly suited to the requirements of an Empire geographically scattered and also to the temperament of its people. . After nearly five exacting years of war the Prime Ministers of the Empire, being “in complete unanimity” with regard to the principles to be followed, have made a declaration of unity among themselves and with their allies in this grim struggle, T. hey have given a message of assurance, to the peoples now suffering under the Axis Powers, of unremitting effort to effect their early release and afford them material aid, and they have pledged this Empire to cooperation “with all peace-loving people in order that aggression shall be removed, or, if need be, struck down wherever it raises its head. And there can be no doubt that in doing this the members of the conference have spoken for the peoples of the countries they represent. That, after all, is the strength that underlies the declaration issued in London. It is not simply an impressive document but a declaration of the faith, the purpose, the inflexible resolve of peoples in free association, made the more impressive because of their own liberty of action and the stronger by virtue of their unshakable unity.