“MAKING OLD EMPIRE MOVE EASILY IN A NEW WORLD”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12611, 23 November 1926, Page 6

“MAKING OLD EMPIRE MOVE EASILY IN A NEW WORLD”

(Received November 22, 8.55 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 21, The Imperial Conference report, which is arousing great interest throughout America, is being prominently displayed in most of tho newspapers. It also calls forth much editorial comment. The “Boston Herald” says: “Now the members of the British commonwealth of nations know what they axe, and happy will be the whole commonwealth if every member remains faithful to this judicious agreement.” Th* <f New York Times,” pointing out that the Dominions are necessarilv to some extent conducting foreign relations. says this has been done already in the case of Canada, and mnv vet be done in similar fashion with Australia and South Africa. The “Times” concludes:— “Close inspection shows that little is proposed except to make the old Empire move easily in a new world. There aro no hard and fast rules about the Empire. That is one reafcpn why it emerges from crisis after crisis stronger than ever.” Tho “New York World” says: “To Canada, South Africa. Australia and Now Zealand, this is a charter of nationhood. The “Chicago Tribune” comments only noon discussions on the cinematograph. and remarks: “The members apparently are afraid of our movies.” MAINLY DUE TO HERTZOG? Tn an interview with the “New York Times,” Mr Eric Leuw. Trade Commissioner for South Africa in the United States, says: “The Imperial Conference report was largely due to

General Hertsog. Ho was of course aided by the other Prime Minister, but I believe I am safe in saying if he had not gone to London report would not have been mad^C’ Mr Leuw added: “The ilfea of a common kingship uniting the Dominions with Britain is also in accordance with General Hertzog’s ideas. The tie that binds Dominions is the King. We are ruled by the King, and not by the British Government.” “I cannot, of course, tell how foreign Governments will receive the declarations in the report, but I believe they will make a considerable difference in the relations between the foreign Governments and tho Dominions in .the future.” Mr Leuw observed that General Hertzog’s position formerly had been somewhat misunderstood, but lie would leave the conference with his prestige much enhanced. AS GERMANY SEES IT (Received November 22, S p.m.) BERLIN. November 22. The Press giv&s very great prominence to the report of the Imperial Conference. The “Vossische Zeitung” says: “It reconstructs the Empire as a veritable League of Nations, and is a victory for the federalist standpoint, as maintained in Ireland and South Africa. It virtually secures the continued existence of the Empire. The Gover-nors-General will cease to be mere mail-carriers of the Colonial Office.” The paper adds that the change “may be made with a view to reserving governorships for members of the Royal Family.”