DOMINION AUTONOMY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1929, Page 6

DOMINION AUTONOMY

RESULT OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE. [United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] MONTREAL, December 20. The “Star” in a leading article, comments on a special Ottawa despatch which reports that as the result of the constitutional conference recently ended in London, a new Imperial statute to be known as “The Act of Westminister,” will do away with anything in the Imperial statutes which is inconsistent with the declaration of the Imperial Conference, 1920 affirming tlio equality of status. Such Act is to he prepared and put through the British Parliament after consultation with the various Governments directly, or at a new conference, its effect being to establish definitely and legally the equality of the Dominions and the Mother Country. After reviewing the effects of the decision, the “Star” leader concludes: —“When the Act becomes law there will he nothing we cannot do for ourselves except defend ourselves or compel nations to respect our “rights” or change our constitution. We can call ourselves a. sovereign nation if it pleases us and does not displease anyone else bigger than we are. We have got all the parchment, pomp and power dignity and sovereignty that can he granted us hut if we get into trouble we will still take shelter behind that saving line of grey warships, to the upkeep of which we would consider it almost immoral to contribute. We are defiant and victorious in London, hut not in foreign capitals.