IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1927, Page 4

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

HON J. G. COATES REPORTS. BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSN'., COPYRIGHT. WELLINGTON, Dee. 3. The House met at 10 a.in., when the Prime Minister read a lengthy statement covering the proceedings at the Imperial Conference report upon discussion and decisions of the Imperial Conference. Hon .). G. Coates conveyed to the House of Representatives this morning the impression that New Zealand was very satisfied as ;t Dominion so far as her relations with the Mother Country and her status as a British Dominion are concerned.

The Prime .Minister considered that the outstanding feature of the Conference was not the practical results achieved, so much as the spontaneous and unanimous evidence of goodwill and the determination to retain the Empire tier,. No suggestion or demands are made on behalf of this Dominion as ho 101 l that the opinion of the country was that the present associations should remain.

'Matters affecting New Zealand directly were various and included the status of the Governor-General which this Government had no desire to alter at present. Further communication between the Dominions were also recognises as advantageous to eliminate the risk of serious disagree-

ment. Foreign affairs claimed a great deal of his attention while the advanced methods of .'international transport were not overlooked. The prospect for the successful completion of a great Imperial air service appeared promising and the Dominion was sharing in the preliminary steps which were being taken throughout the Empire, to facilitate the passage of airships. It was hoped to arrange a trial flight to the furthermost Dominion as soon as possible. A valuajhle report had been prepared upon distribution <>l the white population of the Empire. Although he regretted that temporary suspension had become necessary, a resumption would he made as soon as the position in New Zealand could justify (his action. The extension of trade depended upon the stability of the markets and 'it. was pleasing to find reciprocity of feeling at the Conference that trade within the ■ 'Empire was considered a most desirable tiling for the general welfare. This Government was committed to a close investigation on the application of science to industry, and the production and preservation of timber resources with the idea of getting the host results, was involved. Already the Government had taken ) action in respect to the operation of foreign cinematograph films in this country, wheilt was due largaly to the preoccupation of British during the war years and Mr Coates said he was confident that the British film trade would fie assisted materially by tin- operation of a Bill which was to be passed next year. Other questions discussed were the prospects lor developing shipping, wireless telegraphy and telephony and defence, as well as filty separate questions which wo had found it necessary to discuss with people which were apart altogether from the deliberations of lbe Imperial Conference. Tie struck a hopeful spirit in al.i quarters and as a result of his tri-> (>hroad lie hoped for 1 Os,. Imperial relations as well as greater trade reciprocity with I nited States, where he was accorded a welcome reception. T'-c Leader of the Opposition protested against such an important statement being brought down so late in the session when it was quite ini- . possible to adequately discuss it. He hoped the time would come when tlie.e conferences no longer would he a meeting of dominant parties in various countries of the Empire, but where other parties also would he represented. He asked whether it wax not a fact that the decisions could not collie into effect until they had been approved by Parliament hv a definite decision. If so what was being done about the alteration iu tbit Governor-General's status. Tl that bad been altered it could have no legal effect until the alteration was ratified by Parliament. So far as the status of the Dominions was concerned lie could not see much alteration. Britain still hold control over the legislation of the Dominions and Air Balfour seemed to write the reports of the confernces in much the same way its Sir F. D. Bell wrote the Governor’s speeches in New Zealand. lie commented upon the absence of reference to the Locarno Fact in the

report, of the Conference and urged that col such ((inferences should he open to the press, as secrecy in such matters did not inspire confidence. Hon Downie Stewart said the resolutions agreed to -by the Conference were the logical outcome of the historical development ot the Finn ire. |,ut every country in the Empire would interpret those resolutions according to the stage of development it had reached. For instance Canada with a great friendly country like United States on her borders would take a different view of defence to that we, who are out in the unprotected Pacific, would take. Thus each Dominion would interpret the resolutions from its own point of view lmt the genius of the British rare was such that although apparently acting independently we are still able to persevere in unity of purpose. In the event of the King declaring war. he thomdi each Dominion had a right to stay outside that war if it thought desirable, but that would not protect that Dominion from attack, and he thought the power of the race and tradition would draw every part of -no Empire into any just conflict-