Imperial Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1921, Page 3

Imperial Conference.

CABLE NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BOOMING THE CONFERENCE. ißeceived This Day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 21. The Conference is attracting general attention and is featured more than the strike. All the newspapers put up black headings and displayed bills. Hon Lloyd George’s speech occupies two and a half columns. Generally the leading articles were all mostly appreciative. The illustrated papers print pictures of the principal members. MR UEIGHEN. (Received This Day at 10.35 a.in.) LONDON, June 21 .Ur Mcighen has broken his silence. Speaking at Gray’s Inn, lie said the fabric of Empire was held by vital and perfectly understandable constitutional principles. They are the common law of Parliaments and bear something the same relation to the charter of State as common law to the statute law. They are injunctions taught by experience, and matured by practice into authoritative conventions. If lie must speak merely from a dictionary of law, lie might say the British Parliament that passed the Canadian Confederation Act could amend that Act of its owll motion. Everyone knows such proceedings would be as far beyond the constitutional right of British Parliaments as a royal veto, beyond the effective revival. Such a step would never be dreamed of and if taken, would never lie respected. Forms of law remain after the spirit has departed, but the silent voice of the’ constitutional right keeps every unit in and out. of the system, in its proper place and orbit. That is why we are many nations, but one Empire, that after a thousand yfars sees no westering sun, but is witnessing what Hugo called, “La Geunesse De Ui Viellesse” {the youth of old age). '

TUESDA Y\S PR OCEKDINGS.. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, Julie 21 The Conference to-day is confined to speeches dealing with Hon. Lloyd George’s address. Ixird Curzon attended but did not speak. Mr Meighcn oeeppied fifteen minutes, Dir Hughes sixty. Mr Smuts, Dir Mas sey and M. Sustri thirty.

It is expected Hon. W. Churchill will follow on behalf of the Colonies. Dir Massey described Lloyd George's speech as the most important since the war nnd said it would strongly appeal to the Dominions and inspire confidence throughout the Empire. He urged that tile Imperial Shipping Committee be made permanent, and proposed that future conferences lie held in Britain and tin* Dominions alternatively.

A NEW EPIGRAM. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) . LONDON, June 21

Dlanv newspapers publish unflattering" and inaccurate biographies of the conference representatives. The Conftrenee is much discussed on buses, in hotels and the underground > ailways. A new epigram has been coined which is certain to become historic. “There was a time when Downing Street controlled the Empire. To-day the Empire has taken charge of Downing Street.”

The delegates are deeply serious, aiul thy papers now contrast the buoyancy of last week with the unsmiling assembly which gathered at eleven o'clock. The members, however, thawed while listening to each others speeches, each taking the opportunity of expressing their views frankly. The general tenor of the utterances was—“ All for one, one for all.”

Hon. 'Lloyd George and Mr Hughes hope the amiability will continue, when the question of shouldering the Empire defence is considered.

PRESS CRITICS. (Received this day at 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 21

The “Daily Telegraph” says all membets of the conference are men who were trained in the highest place in the councils of their fellow men, by’ ability and character. The Empire is a realm unique and unparallelled, based not on force, but liberty, and justice, and the recognition of fundamental equality in Empire. The League of Nations which stood the terrific impost of the world war, will find no difficulty in working together for foreign policy, maritime defence and other objects that call for co-operation and co-ordination. The “Morning Post” cannot conceive of any American having any longer respect for England, if we were to change our foreign policy solely dire at ”1 ns it is to our security and independence in deference to American sensibilities. The power to protect yourselves is the best guarantee for peace, in this imperfect world. The Dominions are already coming to words over the proposal to transfer their powers to a sort of suporParliament which would disturb the' balance and create all manner of difficulties. The present system is not perfect, but it works. The principle issues focussed are the policy relating to Japan and United .States, and the problem of the Empire’s naval defence in fundamentals. We believe the view of tbe Dominions regarding them coincide with our own. There is a need for practical discussion in the shape of details of policy to render the harmony efficacious.

A FRENCH VIEW. (Received This Dav nf 19.20 p.m.t PARIS, June 21.

M. Viviani, discussing the Imperial Conference, said it was well that .Eng--I,u nil and tbe Dominions should seek entire agreement in their foreign pol-

io;.. The Dominions realise what they owe to the Mother Country and the latter knows wliat is due to her child-