IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1923, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

| H deters Telegrams.]

1)1 NN Kit TO DKBKGAT KS

(Itceoivcd this day at !).”< a.in.) BON DON, Oet. I. The Duke of Con on light presided at the Colonial Institute dinner to the Imperial Conference delegates. Five hundred guests were present. II"' Duke of Connaught in proposing the toast of a United Empire, said nothing resembling the British Empire had ever before existed. Its unity was vital rot only to the Empire itsell. hut e'en more to distracted F.uropc. He expressed the opinion that the resources tt the Empire, if properly developed, t mild keep the Empire independent ol outsiders. Air .Mackenzie King responded mi Behalf ~f Canada, and Mr Massey lor New Zealand. The latter warmly eulogised the patriotism o! the people ol the Southern I’aoilic. declaring then war record compared favourably with ail' whites. In emphasiug the necessity for adequate sea potter, .Mr Massey uttered a warning against a Boise sense of security, expressing the opinion that the strongest factor for peace was Britain’s Navy. He stressed the war soiviees of the Empire, adding that it was tin essential duly to preserve the Empire and maintain a sufficient natal de. fence to ensure communications Between the different parts of the Empire. Air Massey said Britain would never go to war for glory, aggrandisement or an indemnity, hut sin- oiigi.t nevertheless he compelled to draw the sword. Hence the necessity that Hie Navy should he strong enough to hold it-- own. Ho maintained that il the 'Empire went down, there would be a silting probability ol civilisation g-ing down with it. Air Burton (South Africa), recalled his visit five years ago during the supreme crisis ol the war when lie "as impressed by the patient courage and determination with which Britain lined the issue. To-day he found Britain in the crisis of peace, and he loiind the temper of the people exactly the saiye. Speaking on behalf of the country, hall ol whose white papulation was Dutch. All Burton expressed the opinion that, the present mass of dillieultics could only be successfully surmounted by a united British Umpire. That was real ly the policy on v. Inch the Coiileivnre discussion must turn. A united Empire was the on 1 v sheet anchor for tin civilised world, lie recalled the hot that at the lir-l Imperial ('unlerence held at Ottawa in IW, the South A! Dean Dutchman. I lolfnicycr. proposed a scheme of reciprocity to henelil Imperial unity. lU*spun(linj4 l<> tin* toiist ul 1 the Duke of Connaught commented on nil the speeches, on their breadth, and the spirit of unity ol the Empire. As one who had the good fortune to serve nin 11 v parts of the Emoire lie lelt tic outlook for the future was bright.

'I - - CANADIAN I’l’EF ERF'.NC E. • [Reuters Ti;i,f.c:uams.J IKccsived this day at !».•!.> am.) CONDON, Oct. At the Imperial Coi»j'oronre, Mr Mackenzie King tidvoetitcd the removal of Government control of imlustiy ns I'nr as po-sihle to enable a movement of men ami money throughout tile i .lll j;i ri-. and thus strengthening the Empire’s trade. Ciu/tula gave Em|me goods .TP,- per cent, preference, and a further discount of ton per cent, on duties on British marls coniine through Canadian ports. _ Mi- W. Ormshy (lore cave statistics of the popuhilion and, trade ol the Cbkmies and Protectorates whieh should not lie overlooked in the disi missions on the relations between Britain and the larger Dominions. He mentioned the diversion <if I'Vuoire products, instancing copra horn Sa. moii, which practically all went to Gernianv. Better transport facilities and commercial education were needed to encourage, native produceis. MIGRATION AND I’KEKKRENC R (Received 'this day at HP) I,ON DON. Oct. A. Mr Ma.-sey urged that they should always hear in mind that migration and preference go He iontested the criticism that New /eahuid was making iiisiillicifiit progress, com pn ring Dm reports ol s ,*7? with those of to-day and declared tha the Dominion’s potentialities were such that they could he vastly m-

creased. Mr .Massey said the result of the Empire Conference hitherto had been exceedingly satisfactory, it was lor the British Government now to take the initiative. The Dominions' repre-

sentatives had no desire to increase the price of food to the British consumers and if this were so there must he a compensating interest in the opposite direction. If the Empire was going to succeed in getting out of the present industrial depression, the Dominions and Britain would have to work together in a better and closer manner than ever they had in the past. Tie complained tlmt the recent British Government meant contract, for which. New Zealand tendered, had been given outside the Empire, which should have the first consideration.

.Mr .Massey said lie had called the attention of the British Post Chime to the time that was wasted by not using the American rout;' to New Zealand for mails. With ivtcreiiec to currency he hoped that the conference would he able to provide a substitute for gold. Finally he advocated the teaching of the history of the British Empire throughout the British Empire.