IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1926, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

CANADA’S ATTITUDE. ’Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.! LONDON, September 21. The possibility. however remote, of Canada’s absent e from the Imperial Conference has amused a discussion or this delicate constitutional question. Even Downing Street is uncertain whether the Imperial Conference can legitimately he held in such circumstances. It is stated authoritivoly that the constitutional aspect, if it. arose, would lie a matter for consultation with the Dominions’ Office and the Dominions ‘•uncoined. and later for discussion witli. the Premier attending with a view to a mutual settlement. A precedent doe's not exist to deal with the situation, which apparently was not contemplated when the Conference was framing its resolutions in 1907 initiating the Imperial Conferences. Canada’s London office has cabled to Ottawa for information. Tho Dominions’ Office anticipates that the position will be clarified in a few days, and it points out that, though Mr Mackenzie King, the Canadian Premier, may not he himself able to attend, owing to the Canadian Par liamentary situation, there is nothing to prevent film from sending deputies where exceptional circumstances arise. Mr Mackenzie King, in a message to the “Daily News” says:—“So long as the present Government remains in office. I prefer to make no statement whatever regarding the Imperial Conference, or upon other current political matters.” The “Daily News” comments on the fact that Mr Mackenzie King is not yet technically the Premier, and therefore* prefers to I>c silent. It adds that it will create an embarrassing situation if Mr Mackenzie King holds aloof from the Imperial Conlerence. Such an action will he widely interpreted as a slight to the Empire movement just when new relationships are being evolved between tho constituent parts of the Empire and other nations.