VIEWED FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 97, 21 October 1926, Page 11

VIEWED FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES

MOTHERLAND AND DOMINIONS

OPENING SPEECHES AT IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Full details of the opening speeches at the Imperial Conference reveal in a more striking manner than ever before a desire on the part of the component parts of the Empire to get down to business in an endeavour to solve its many and difficult problems. The viewpoint of each Dominion was given by its representative in succession after the chairman (Mr. Baldwin) has succinctly stated the general position. The attitude of South Africa, expressed by General Hertzog, revealed a new phase in development.

(United Pra« Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, 12th October. Mr. Baldwin, in his inaugural speech, said: "I have heard a suggestion that little is accomplished at these gatherings. The resolutions passed at earlier conferences have been described as generalities and platitudes. This apparently has been duo to failure to study sufficiently the aims and achievements, because since the fir st Colonial Conference. in 1887 much has been accomplished- If the conferences had not been held, the changes of the past forty years would not have contributed to the fundamental unity and strength of tho Empire displayed in the Great War. FOREIGN POLICY. "The necessity for adjusting interImperial relations has been most conspicuous in the sphere of foreign policy. Already we have gone some way to meet the problem of how. to reconcile the principle of self-government both in external and domestic affairs with the necessity for a policy commending itself to the various Governments and Parliaments on foreign questions which are of general Imperial concern. IMPERIAL DEFENCE. "Eespecting Imperial defence, there" has-boon steady progress towards improvement in the facilities for co-opera-tion. I warmly welcome India's establishment of a navy. We shall confer at the end of the year with the Irish Free State with a view to its undertaking a share in itg own coastal defence. Our navies will continue ono of the strongest bonds uniting us. Much also has been done to facilitate co-op-eration of land forces, formations being organised all over the Empire on lines generally similar. Corresponding methods are securing contact an<J co-opera-tion in the Air Forces. TRADE AND MIGRATION. "In the sphere of trade and migration a striking result of tho recent conferences has been the institution of joint Imperial bodies surveying particular aspects of the Empire's economic relations, notably the Imperial shipping and Imperial economic committees of the Imperial Institute. Wo have been able even since the war to maintain the flow of investments which is so important for oversea development. The Enipiro settlement problem is essentially - one of co-operation. Imperial preference, supplemented by the operations of the Empire Marketing Board,, will increase the flow of inter-Imperial trade. The Wembley Exhibition proved tho Empire's immense future possibilities. "I am glad that the continuance of tho work of the War Graves Commission has been ensured by an endowment fund. The establishment of a separate Dominions Office in tho Home Gov-. ernment will greatly facilitate relations with the Dominion Governments." IMPORTANT PROBLEMS. Mr. Baldwin emphasised the value of the Empire Parliamentary Association, university facilities, for overseas students, the Rhodes scholarships, and innumerable social ties. "My attitude is not one of satisfied complacency. We have not reached finality in our relations. The conference must locate the weak places and do its utmost to strengthen them, particularly in connection with communication and consultation between the Empire Governments which, perhaps, is the most important problem. In the region of foreign affairs, we must examine the. results of tfi"e system of informing the Dominion Premiers on world politics, with a view to developing it, and also developing the supply of information in the reverso direction. PERSONAL DISCUSSIONS. The most pressing problem is to increase the opportunities for personal discussions, which at present are insufficient, particularly in relation to matters of major Importance in foreign affairs. There is urgent need also for constant co-operation in defence. The Governments should give full practical encouragement to the development of inter-Imperial trade. Effective co-operation would produce results out of all proportion to what we could severally achieve. We can best face our problems In the spirit of St. Augustine's phrase: In essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things, charity.