IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1926, Page 4

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

WELLINGTON, June 29. In the opinion of Air Georgia Forbes, Leader of the Nationalists, this year’s imperial Conference will be one of the most important of its kind yet held, and ho expressed a hope in the House to-day that the business of Parliament would lie facilitated to make it easier for Air Coates, who will represent New Zealand to attend it. It was essential, be said, that members should help to get the business through, aiid thus allow Air Coates to get away. Today there was a feeling growing up in other parts of the Empire that the Dominions which formed part of the Empire should have different representation and a greater voice than they had in the past. They claimed the right of nations and the idea was to frame the policy which was to provide the machinery of Empire, and, at the same time, permit these nations to have their say. Africa had fits ideas, and from there came the demand for a new Hag. Careful eonsit'i?ration would have to Ir given to proposals for the setting up of any new machinery for that was n very delicate matter, indeed. “To my mind, the conference will he one of the most important yet held, because we may expect great changes in tV Constitution under which we work,” All- Forbes continued, but, pausing a moment, be added that.after all, the British Em pore bad no Constitution; it worked under ail arrangement, and that arrangement had boon successful in tbe past. New Zealand had always said it was willing to abide by tbe decisions arrived at by the statesmen of 'England, hut it was evident that in other quarters a change • was desired. Afr Forbes, for purposes of illustration, placed the Government of the Empire on a parallel with the Government of Rughv Football. Tears ago, the English Rugby Laiimi made the decisions which were law in New Zealand, and throughout the Rugby world, but today there was an International Rugby Board, with general representation. The position in retard to Imperial affairs, he considered, was .much the same. The nations wanted the voice in the Councils of the Empire, which they felt they wore entitled to. He hoped the Prime Minister would ho able to assist towards the framing of r policy which would he for the general benefit. (