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Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1920, Page 2

The Empire Press Conference now sitting at Ottawa promises to play ar important part in expressing and mould ing British opinion throughout the Empire and givng to the world al large an expression of the nationa aims and aspirations from a new poinl of view altogether. Hitherto lit is •left to statesmen and parliamentarian! generally to give voice to the publii policy of the country, but here we havi the critics, as it were, of the parlia njents of the Empire, speaking Gathered from all round the Britisl possessions there are capable leaders o public thought whose daily task in tlieii own country and home is to volc< •general opinions on the affairs of tin Empire as governed by world opinions on the affairs of the Empire as govern ed bv world conditions. Meeting to getlier in conference from the four coiners of the world there is going t< be an exchange and expression of view: and policy which cannot be otherwisi than for the public good. They an leaders of public thought who are recog nisod for their ability to express clearlj their comment on passing events. Tliej are not beholden to the public whom they serve so well and faithfully foi th<:>ir positions. They hold those positions by merit apd ability, and sitting round the conference table in Canada noiy are gentlemen who may be considered the. cream of the Empire newspaper world. They constitute a most influential assembly, and the views they give ejcpmistpi) to, unofficial though they are, . wifi carry weight wherever they are printed. The fact thaf they are unofficial will give them greater credence, for they are pot weighed down by any fears- of office, nor ape they trimmed merely to pleasie the par. What has been sent abroad from the conference already indicates the fearlessness of the opinions expressed. Events are coitsiffcivd honestly on their merits, and commented on with a freedom of thought which at once discloses the earne.stnc-s of the speakers. This comment fits the address of Mr Robert Donald which appeared in the cable news of Saturday. Jt was a clear exposition of the present unrest in the world and some indication was given whence a remedy should come. It- was a. speech to evoke the deepest thought, and it will tend to stimulate public opinion at large throughout the Eng-lish-speaking world. .The Press Conference promises to ,be no.t in vain.