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Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1924, Page 2

Imperial relations were touched upon very frankly last week by the Labor representatives at Homo at the gathering iu honor of the l’remiei of Queensland- himself at the bead of a distinctive Labor Government. As the chief spokesman Mr Thoiniis, tin* ].-abor Colonial Secretary reviewed very intimately bis aspect of the situation arising out of the Imperial flnnforonce. It will be remembered the Conservative Government :>t Home enlivened a conference of Premiers, and the major business decided upon was iu relation to Imperial preference —which the Conservatives as a party favor. The Conference had hardly concluded when the Kingdom was plunged into the throes ot a general election. Tt is lustorv how tile Government made tariff proposals with preference the chief plank of the political referendum, and the result was disastrous. Air Baldwin gallantly leading and staking his all. being defeated at the polls. The Labor Government succeeded to office. As a party Labor was opposed to preference, and along with the Liberals had fought the preferential treatment to the fullest extent. The Labor Government-, became established’ on the ..Ministerial henelios liy the graiv «,!' tlie T.il>er:i!s. and they so retain the position. T?ecently there lias lioen a good deal of adverse comment I mill Dominion representatives regarding the action of the new Government in vetoeing preference. There are hints of Canada •‘cutting the jin inter.” In South Vi-rit-a there is talk of Geneml Smuts (who built up on preference for the present electi< :■) being dclcated. and the federal ii>n leaning towards a republic. Even Sir Janies Allen lias raised bis voice in warning, and the Conservative press lias not been silent. Tt i- in the>»circumstances that Mr Thomas reviews the position, aud claims that the cjupstion at issue is above party and should le dealt with on non-party lines. TTo believes in a general conference where all political parties might be represented to discuss the pros and cons of preference. The snbiec-t is an otor disturbing Inc-far in - Contemporary polities. It bits at the root of free trade, for it is a form of protection and protection is anathema to a great body of public opinion in Great Britain. Some such conference as Mr Thomas suggests might raise feelings on the matter. though it is doubtful if any sort of adequate decision would be reached. But it would at least keep the door open and not slam it- in the face ol the oversea countries altogether.

Thebe is a good deal of prominence given to the position arising out of the immigration restrictions bet'' con tile United States end Japan. The exclusion proposals as affecting the latter cmmtrv have aroused considerable national feeling with the result that them' is talk of war. The Japanese elections which have just been held have gone against the Government. Tiio result is said to be a further expression of national feeling on the matter. In the States those who could, endeavoured to exercise |t restraining

influence on the legislation proposed, ha I- feeling in California and other ■States runs high, and a great political issue has "ne,.i| worked upon the subject. ?J.oi h propaganda work lias keen done to iiiilticO'-e tiie pukhe mind

against the .Japanese v.ho have lieen in-innating their way into the l niiod Slate- in considerable ntmihcrs lor year- pa-t. The Japanese have nmv a ft maraahle footing in some portions, hoth in regard to population and land holding. The ('ailed States i- so adjacent to Japan, and -teanier faeilitlcs have lieen -o excellent, that ii has not lieen difficult or instly in. regard to transport. With it- teeming millions gradually assimilating wc-torn ideas, it wa- not -Mrp:i-ing the Japanese pushed their way into the States. The re-tri. i ive legislation is stronglv re-

lented. now that Japan has p.,rtn-ipat-ed in (ho world war in company with the while raees. Tin* alliance with ((real Britain (which wa- so faithfully observed by Japan over the war period) gave Japan an outstanding position. Her naval development founded on ihe liriti-li system lia«= hem leliiarkaMe. The Inti* diselosnres about tl)e nan of the United States will not he helpful to the war fever in the States, particularly with the alerttie-s of the Japanese Navy in miml. Hut alter the experience nf the world war. the United States and Japan can-surely settle their differences of opinion without a resort, to arms. The position nevertheless reveals the fact that the United Stales is not so Kiilcndidlv i.-olatel as was once thought, and that events might at anv moment cause America to revise her whole idea of international policy.