IMPERIAL AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1921, Page 1

IMP ERIAL AFFAIRS

debate IN llorSß. (Spend to "Guardian, 'i WEI. LINTON. wOet IS. The House debated Imperial affairs to-day. tlm opportunity being provided hv tlm pres, illation of the ollieial report of the Imperial Conference. The Leader of the Opposition, who was the lirsl speaker, discussed AngloAmerican relations, and deelatod that the alliance with Japan must end. hut it, xx as made fairly clear that the weight- of opinion ill the House was against him oil this point. Mr Malcolm (Glutha). who is recognised as a champion of Imperial constitution. dists in the House, made an able and interesting speech in support ol his plea for tlm organisation of the Empire. lie argued that til,, threads of kinship could not hold the Empire together indefinitely, unless they were supplemented by ties of a more practical kind, and he) urged that the Empire needed n constitution and Imperial Parliament capable of exercising authority over all kinds of dominions, lie denied that Ibe present Imperial Conference had any real executive power, and suggested there was an actual dancer in the usurpation of authority by a body that, had no place in tile constitution at all.

The other side of the ease was stated by Hon (’• J . Parr, and other members who argued that experience had shown the existing organisation of the Empire. to he suited to the actual requirements. It would he impossible to devise a rigid const itotioii that would not chafe at some point, and it would he highly dangerous {<> introduce tlm principle of coercion of minorities'’into a lassembly of British nations. They did not believe any Parliament of the Empire would he prepared to transfer its sovereign powers to a new linpeiil Parliament. The debate xvas adjourned.