IMPERIAL CONFERENCE,

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1918, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE,

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS. fri:n fiikss association.— corrruciHT.] WELLINGTON, This Day. I A telegraphic summary of the pro ccedings of the Imperial War Confer- ■ once to t-ho Governor-General by the | Secretary of State for Colonies reads at | follows: j “The Imperial War Conference held : its first- meeting on the 12th Juno, under the Chairmanship of the Secratary ;of State for Colonies. Tho Secretaries for Foreign Affairs and India were also presont with representatives from Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland. The Chairman in his opening address described briefly the important work dono, on the resolutions passed by last year’s ronference. and reviewed the

work likely to conic before the confer- _ ence this yeafr, particularly in the 3 economic Bphere. The representatives of the Oversea 1 Dominion and Secretary of State for Jn--1 dia replied, emphasising in particular the resourcefulness of the British Navy, • in soc.uring the attendance of representa- , tives from all parts of the world, withL out a hitch, and in security. \ ■ A loyal resolution was passed to His Majesty and much emphasis was laid on the devotion and 'unremitting work of the Royal Family during the strain of the war. The Secretary of Stato 'for Foreign Affairs, also addressed the Conference. He emphasised the unique speetack presented to the world by self-governing parts of the British Empire standing together, and success, fully co-operating, in spite of the immense strain of four years of war, and laid special stress on the immense possibilities arising through the entry of the United .States into the war, ,for the promotion of the future happiness and freedom of mankind. A second mooting was held on I7tb. June at which delegates from Australia and India were also present thus making the Conference completely representative, for the time, of all parts of the Empire. A message was read from His Majesty in reply to the loyal resolution. 'Hie conference proceeded to deal with the work of the Imperial War (Graves Commission. 'This commission was established under the presiding of the Prince of Wales, as a result of n resolution passed by the Conference last year. Much emphasis was laid by the Dominion representatives on the need for all possible pressure being placed on Ttirkey to safeguard the graves at Gallipoli, and great interest was shown on the question of headstones and badges for the graves of Dominion troops. Strong feeling was also expressed in favour of the decision of the Commission, to give a common form of memorial for all ranks. A resolution was passed commending the labours of the commission since its establishment, and in favour of the cost of carrying out its decisions being borne by the respective governments and the Empire, in proportion to the numbers'of graves of •jfheir dead. This cost is estimated, according to the information at present available at an average of £lO per officer or man buried. The cost of erecting memorials to those whose graves are not identified, has not yet been estimated, hut it is thought likely to be considerably less in proportion. Tho Conference next discussed the

■ question of the establishment of cen- ; tral authority in United Kingdom, to supervise emigration of ex-service men ; and other after the war. j The Under-Secretary of State for Coi lonies explained the provisions of the I Emigration Bill, now before the Ini- ! perial Parliament, and n discussion en- 1 • sued, the question, chiefly arising, was i whether the representatives of the j Oversea dominions in the United Kingi dom should be associated with the exeI cutive work of the new body proposed j under the bill, or should assist in an advisory capacity. The discussion was not completed” and was adjourned. The third meeting of the Conference was held on the 19th June. At this various phases of the Imperial economic policy after the war, were raised and the proceedings were necessarily of a confidential character. Ko conclusion was reached hud the dis- j cussion will he continued at subsequent j meetings. j