The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” SATURDAY, JUNE 25th., 1921. ' THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” SATURDAY, JUNE 25th., 1921. ' THE WEEK.

The Imperial Conference now sitting in London and so greatly featured in the cable news dail, is of outstanding importance, presently and prospectively. The cardinal feature of the opening proceedings, was the wide expanse of subjects and interests covered by the speech of welcome tendered to the oversea r eprosentatives by the British Prime Minister (Mr Lloyd George). It was, in essence, a review of the war, and its outcome, and in that respect emphasised the material service the war period has been in bringing about the changed condition of affairs as between the parent nation, and the oversea possessions. Mr Lloyd G eorge’s epigram that “there was a time when Domning Street controlled the Empire, but today the Empire has taken charge of Downing Street,” in a great measure, sums up the business of the Conferen 'C itself, for it is clear the British Government is both ready and willing, and likewise anxious to consult the Dominion representatives in regard to the complex domestic and foreign subjects which to-day call for consideration and attention in handling to the best effect

the policy of good government within the Empire. The Prime Minister’"' speech likewise paid generous tribute to the great services rendered by the Dominions from the outbreak of hostilities. In this respect there was the splendid if rather belated tribute to the services of the Indian troops, the presence of which helped to hold the position on

the the western frdlit till other reinforcements arrived. There was in addition the certainly well earned recognition of the value of the Japanese Fieet in serving some of the oversea countries particularly in regard to the transport of their troops.

By his clear and honest statement of the general position, and his fair and earnest review of the outlook, Mr Lloyd George has once again done iiie Empire the greatest service. It is another instance of what an asset this remarkable man of the period is to tnc Empire, for his great services are truly national in their application. No one can read his great review of the Empire questions and outlook, without being impressed with his 'breadth of vision, his tolerance of feeling, and his supreme desire to so order the wotk of the Conference that the greatest good for the greatest number may result frm the deliberations. On behalf of the peoples they represented the visiting Premiers were moved to congratulate very heartily Mr Lloyd George on his address, whi<di will stand as a text for all time as evidence of the national goodwill at Home and abroad and of the keen and earnest desire to make not only the Empire hut ihe world at large, a safer and better place in which to live. The amiable character of the opening phases was sustlined by the introductory remarks of i.he speakers who followed. They, too, expressed their earnestness and keen consideration for the welfare of the whole, or as the cable news put it—“ All for one, and one for all.” The delegates are nil men of mark and ability in their own countries, holding the highest position of political confidence which can l>e l>estowed. They have a wide and intimate knowledge of their own immediate problems, and can veiitdnte them with a full knowledge and confidence of the support of their own people. Such views must be entitled to all respect and having now entered on the serious business of detailed discussion, the proceedings will be followed with the closest interest.

The interesting conclusion one comes to as regards the speeches of the galaxy of Prime Ministers is their faith in the Empire. The Nation is beset by difficult national and international problems hut complex though they are, there is the lielief that the nation will “carry on” and continue to be the service it lias been in the past for international welfare. As Mr Lloyd George aptly put it, “the British Empire is the saving fact in the distracted world today, and the most hopeful experiment in human organisation that the world has ever seen. The Empire (he continued) is based not on force but goodwill and common understanding, and liberty is its binding principle.” Conning over the very fine address of the British Prime Minister, one cannot but think how much not only the far‘flung Empire but, the world at huge owes to England—the Motherland. It was very nice and complimentary for Lloyd George to coign his flattering epigram to the Dominions, hut Britain lias done so much for us, and is the fountain head to which we must turn always in distress or disaster, that it would be ' vain glory and empty pride on the part of i tl '* r i\ I ■'(L 'V;/' -<V, ' u’- 'A : Hand in New York, referred to the old England of years and years ago, with “its melody, its harmony, its •beauty, its history, its fine devotion to ideals, its wonderful pluck and enterprise and adventurous spirit.” As he said the people of those days were “men and women all, they have been the salt of the earth in the past; they will l>e the savor and salt of the earth in the long years to come.” This is another expression of the abiding faith in the nation, re-echoed at the Conference bv the latest delegates of Emigre. The life work has been attuned to the ideals of the past and they are set on carrying on the good work which the traditions of the past have made possible. .After all what the Em;>ire as a whole needs in ; egard to its complex problems, is understanding, a deeper insight of local opinion, which naturally regards the questions from the closest view point; a clearer knowledge of how the same Questions are viewed by those afar off who have

i wider perspective, and who see how ither issues are affected which may not re visible from the local standpoint. iVhat is needed, and what it is clear the Conference is out to attain, is to give , ;,() all those within the Empire a larger ind richer civic life and a fuller opportunity for legitimate selfexpression. rhese great ideals can he accomplished Duly by slow degrees. They must he Dvolved rather than resolutioned, for with a domain on which the sun never sets, on races and creeds complex in the extreme, there must he a generous element of give and take of consideration and regard, till all those social questions more or less burning to the country or people directly affected, are better visioned, and so focussed as to bring the aims and aspirations of the people to a better understanding. AcconniNG to tlio burden of the speeches, the outstanding work of the Conference is to deal with the Pacific question. This involves alike the interests of Britain, Japan, and America. There are divergent views among the statesmen of the three great countries, hut tho value of so arranging matters ns to ensure effective peace between the three great peoples, is of such paramount importance, that good sense and tolerance should ultimately find a way of reaching a workable basis. The present and past alike suggest that this should not he difficult beyond accomplishment. Wo have the fact of the intimate and satisfactory alliance between Britain and Japan in the past; when both nations honored and respected their treaty obligations. Wo have tho fact that Britain and America are of one parent stock, speaking the one language, and thoroughly understanding the probity of each. Surely the good understanding between these English-speaking peoples is a guarantee of good-will and clear understanding to avoid oven the thought of war to settle any international disputes or misunderstandings. In America we have the fact that between the United States and Canada (the British possession) there are five thousand miles of borderland, and does the defence of this great tract of country, the one against th e other, occasion any cause for alarm or anxiety? Not at all, and just as this good feeling exists on the land, why not on the high seas also, and if so, need Britain or America bother what the other is doing to police the waters? Just as Canada and the States understand and trust each other, so could Britain and America treat each other in the same trustful way, and avoid a tremendous costly race in maritime armaments, which at best would be a waste of effort, men and money, for it is inconceivable to believe the two nations could he ever pitted against each other in war again.

Ik then Britain and Japan are friendly disjHised, and Britain and America are likewise on the best terms of understanding, it should not he beyond accomplishment to see Japan and America come to a complete understanding, also with Britain as friendly arbiter. The Conference might aid, in fact we believe will aid such a,movement, and that accomplshed the resulting amity of the nations will surely he a safe foundation for imposing world peace—that is of course so far as a great international outbreak is possible. Small and minor wars will no doubt go on recurring, but never again should it he possible—if Britain, America and Japan were to unite whole-heartedly—-for a world war to shake the very foundations of civilisation and bring tho nations to the vet go of bankruptcy involving all tho international trouble and difficulty which now spreads round the whole globe. Just as Britain could dominate the European situation, so America would prevail in the west and Japan in tho east, and without material aid from those great centres of money and munitions another great war should be an impossibility. We boast of this being the age of enlightenment and learning and if there is this advanced state of commonsense abroad, let it be exercised on behalf of humanity in building a bulwark against any future combination of nations which would have for its objective the aggrandisement of power or prestige to he won only hv war and annexation. It is a great opportunity, no less than that open to the League of Nations, and if the latter is to fail because of lack -of support from America, something must take its place, and it is the bounden duty of the statesmen of the time to solve th 0 pro-' Idem ,and as Britain is so vitally involved sho must he a principal participant and the Imperal Conference must devise th« means to achieve the great accomplishment. devoutly to be hoped that the visit to Ireland will hear good The King’s speech expressed hopes, and an honest appeal to the people to recast their methods of on constitutional grounds. out the olive branch, and urgspirit of forbearance and conciliain haiidy Irish affairs. There is §■ doubt Ireland lias the opportunity now on an area of peace good will, and if tho present is lost, it will be deplorable in H extreme. The King by his pO'rson- ■ presence with that of his consort, his intimate interests with good fortunes of Ireland. It was |B natural that he should have the deepest affecton for his people in that quarter of th e Empire, and he could not have taken a more adequate way of showing how deep-seated were his failings than by undertaking a personal visit. His courage, devotion, and finally his whole-hearted expression of esteem and goodwill should appeal to the hearts of Irsihmen and women who are prone to bo deeply sympathetic by nature, and who can appreciate selfsacrifice and a worthy attention to duty. It will be very disappointing if good does not come out of the visit. The King showed his disposition to trust the people, and that is the greatest tribute to democracy. It remains to he seen of what stuff the democracy itself is made of. Will it be reasonable, will it reciprocate in the same Pennine spirit? The answer is fateful to the future of Ireland, which can he made or marred now by the people themselves if they will seize the present golden opportunity and show a genuine desire to attain all the ends they aim

itt by constitutional means through the parliamentary channel open to them.