HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1927, Page 3

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

EMPIRE relations

(Australian A- X.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON. .J mie 29,

In the Commons, in committee of the Finance Bill, the item Dominions Office vote. Mr Tan MePiie rson (I,ilieral) referred to inter-imperial relations and said it would la* a signal E)ilure to attempt to set up a super council to sit in judgment on the Empire’ Parliament. The problem was how to continue reconciling autonomy ol the lads, with the unity of the whole. Improved methods of consuit'ltion had to be devised. One proposal was tbe creation of a secretariat. Another to widen the status of the lligh (11in in iss ioni'l’s. IDs uurtv suggested a sort ol F.iiipire Parliamentary Ad-Party Conicroiiio. meeting once yearly on lines ol the preliminary commission before the Disarmament Cunlerenei*. LONDON, .June 29. In the Commons, Sir Marriott asked il there was any change of Imperial relations and if so of what nature. Had Britain abandoned anything, if so upon whose authority, lie doubted whether it was wi-e to Id loose metaphysician upon tlie Empire’s constitution. lie was afraid it would hi* as dangerous as Athanasius in theology. Mr Johnston said preliminary parliamentary ciinleri’iice might easily unconsciously develop in a British way into a dream of all we held of the Imperial’ Parliament, dealing with imperial concerns. leaving the constituent parliaments to exercise home nth* in their own affairs.

Mr Hugh O’Neil hoped .Marriott's •luestions would not he answered. Illicit that the inter-imperial relations report was a great State (lodimeiit, on the whole constructive, not destructive, and would result in a betterment, not a worsening, of relations.

The Royal Assent Ims been given the Pacific Cable Board Bid. LONDON. June 29. Hon Ainory, replying said the unity r.f Empire would he immensely .strengthened by personal contact, but uiiiil airships bad reduced the distance we would have io be content with conferences every two nr three years. The Government, was most ready to ron-

siilt Dominion representatives most fully and freely, and not hold information of any kind from them. If there is a general wish for a penniMient secretary there would lie no difficulty in giving effect thereto. Meanwhile the machinery for direct c'nnmunication and consultation was improving all the time. While all the parties to the eonfeience seemed al’trnoted it did not recommend itself to the Dominions to change fin* relationships which was one of the most profound and remarkable that had over been taken. This had occurred step by stop at every Imperial Conference during the past lolly years, marking an advance. LONDON. June 29. lion. Aniery said Mr Baldwin hoped to renew on lihe spot, the personal contact lie had established at the hit, Imperial Conference with the Government of Canada, in the course of a few weeks. Mr Amory himself hoped to take advantage in the next few months, in renewing contact with the various Dominions, dealing', wit ft outstanding problems between the Government and tin* Governments of the Dominions, which could he better settled across a table than by telegraphic communication. By laying down the principle of al'isolute equality hewoen the Dominions and their unity under the* common Crown, the, Imperial Conlereni”.* marked a great turning point in Empire lpsto!ry and the unity ol the Empire., had been strengthened. The vote was agreed to.