IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1921, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

CONSTITTONAL RELATIONSHIP. LONDON, November 26. Not a few misleading statements have been made concerning the Im- , perial Conference which is to be held next June. Not only have these statemnts been published in London, but they have been cabled to some of th-* Overseas Dominions. For instance, it was suggested that th»i next year’s meeting of British and Dominion’s Premiers would be the beginning cf a definite system of “Empire Government in peace time or “Empire Peace Cabinet.” It now appears, however, that the next Conference will differ in no essential particulars from the Imperial War Cabinet meetings held in 1917 and 1918. But the Prime Minister made a statement in the House of Commons this —-week with regard to the special confer • ence, which was recommended by the Imperial Conference of 191 1 to he held as soon as possible after the war. In answer to Major O’Neill, Lloyd George said that it was not propos'd to abandon the special Imperial Conference to consider the readjustment of the, constitutional relationship of the component parts of the Empire, but it was felt that public opinion in the 'Empire had not yet had time to give adequate consideration to enable the Conference to meet with any advantage next year. He hoped it would he possible for such a Conference to be held in 1922. The question of India’s representation at the meeting of Dominion Prime Ministers in London next June is still under consideration. Decisions have to be made about personnel and other details. But it is practically certain that the Indian representation will bo tliree- >~" fold.

The constitutional reforms now being carried out in India have emphasised the necessity for India’s having at least three representatives which was recognised at the Imperial War Cabinet and Conference of 1918, and in the British Empire Delegation at the Peace Conference.