EMPIRE CONFERENCE ENDS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12612, 24 November 1926, Page 7

EMPIRE CONFERENCE ENDS

REPORT ON IMPERIAL RELATIONS WIDELY DISCUSSED MUCH CREDIT TO MR BRUCE MR COATES DESCRIBED AS “A QUIET AND PERSISTENT HELPfcn By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received November 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 22. With a sitting at 3 o’clock to-morrow, what will bedome known as the “Silent Conference” will end. The Dominions Office hopes the same evening to issue a comprehensive official report on the whole of the proceedings. There will also be an outstanding report on Imperial defence, and another dealing with speedier sea transit and mails, but the latter is likely to be inconclusive, merely stating the necessity for watching developments in the methods of propulsion. Meanwhile, the report of the Inter-Imperial Relations Committee continues to be widely discussed. There is comment in Australian circles on how closely it fits the policy outlined by Mr Bruce at a private welcoming lunch at Australia House, immediately after his arrival. Those intimately in touch with the Conference give Mr Bruce Si large share of credit for the happy result of the Conference, and describe Mr Coates also as a quiet and persistent helper in achieving a betterdefined unity. It is remarked that both Australia and New Zealand were in the happy position of knowing that nothing conceded to the others in any Way affected their conception of the Imperial relation.ship. Mr Bruce said to-night: “It is a very great report, and will unquestionably do much to remqve from the arena of active political discussion questions which previously have caused much .anxiety.” “My attitude has been that the less* placed on paper about the Empire Constitution the better,” declared Mr Coates. “New Zealand has been satisfied to let matters develop naturally between herself and Britain. We have feared that natural development might have been hindered ' rather than helped by a written Constitution. We have realised, liowever, that what is sufficient for New Zealand might not satisfy others, and, accordingly, we are pleased to concur with the report.”

SIGNIFICANCE OF REPORT NOT YET GRASPED

(Received NovenAer 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 22. The first Symbol of the Imperial relationship is contained in the report on Air Communication, in the phrase: ■“His Majesty’s Government in Australia,” and the same phraseology is used regarding South. Africa. This report will be of historic value, as the first State document containing the new formula. The non-committal allusion to the Locarno Pact in the report was what was most expected. Mr Bruce thinks that resort to the contracting-out clause will not be necessary under the new definition on foreign relations. Another authority describes it as a case now of “all or nothing.” COMMENT IN LONDON The Sydney “Sun’s” London political correspondent, commenting on the Imperial Conference Inter-Im-perial Relations Report, says that it is one of the most historic documents ever evolved by the makers of the Empire’s history. The people as yet are unable, to grasp the real purport of the report. One fact emerging is that the King is now the sole physical bond between Britain and the Dominions. The newspapers confine their leaders and criticisms to the barest generalities. England has until now remained' practically in the dark concerning the entire problem. It can be said without exaggeration that not a single paragraph appeared in the British Press in any way suggesting the extraordinary significance of the report. Only on Friday were the newspapers informed that they Could expect a document of most farreaching importance next day. This was the first semi-official reference to the inter-imperial relations discussions, which were conducted in absolute secrecy. The Dominions newspapers alone were able to give a forecast of what was being evolved behind closeddoors. The question arises: What will the Dominions decide about Britain’s representation in the Dominions now that the Coyer-nor-General no longer represents the Government? It is understood that thq matter of allotting direct representatives of Britain in the Dominions will shortly be discussed. Published in "The Times." LONDON, November 22. ' “The Times,” in a leader, describes "the Inter-Imperial Relations Report as essentially a register of existing conditions rather than a programme of tho future. It is a - courageous, ingenious, and comprehensive document, probably unparalleled, but it is wrong to say that it is a new departure or a farteaching Constitutional ' experiment. There is hardly a statement of definition not coinciding with familiar pratioe. The preamble, for instanoe, includes a description of the Empire' in language only served by the italics being almost incidental. It may have uses for quotation to suspicious Nationalists, but that is all. AN IMPORTANT CLAUSE “Then comes a trifling change in the Royal title, but the clause-dealing with the position of Governors-General is more important because it definitely raise* an anomalous and dual system whereby the Governor-General ia both the King’s representative and the formal channel Of cOntmurtiCstiOn with hit Majesty’s Ministers in London.

“What matters enormously It the development of a system of personal confect between London and the Dominion 'capital*. That is' a practical necessity, and it is brought into ' first prominonce". “It has always existed, and is being met by various provisional expedients, Australia leading by the 'appointment of a personal representative of the Prime’ Minister. and the other Dominions jhay adopt the Australian practice, or welcome in their own countries political representatives of the British Government. Tho report dees not recommend Uniformity, but emphasises a problem which clearthinking, practical experience alone can solve clearly. ONE UNIT, OR MANY? “There is no disposition to abandon the Judicial Committee as the final appeal in appropriate cases. The principle that it is each Dominion Government’s right to advise the Crown on all matters relating to its own affairs is the keynote of all the conference’s recommendations, and 'as far as Britain is concerned there is neither doubt nor discord in regard to that matter. The real difficulty has always been to interpret it to the outside world. > “Are we a tingle unit for purpose* of diplomacy or half a dozen units?” “The Times” asks. The f'Daily Mail,” in a leader, say*: “The report clearly lays down complete equality of the Dominions with Britain, and should therefore satisfy all their aspirations. It does not alter essential conditions. For years the Dominions have in practice been independent of Britain, and of equal status to her.. Tlie alteration in the King’s title changes nothing of importance. The Empire is bound together, not by logic, force, or arbitrary compacts, but by allegiance to the Crown, by common interest, and common ties which freedom . and the enjoyment of Constitutional Government impoSo. For a generation cr more if has been a commonplace that the union of the’ Etppire is a personal one through the Sovereign, and it gives the Crown extraordinary importance and influence which is. bound to grow in years to come.” The “Daily News” in a leader declares: “This able and far-reaching report is an adequate and significant expression of a progressive civilisation keenly alive to its duties and place in the international scheme of things, and thoroughly aware of its own destiny. The Dominions’ equal status is fixed beyond doubt in language apparently satisfying to General Hertzpg’s mvstical theories, and the national sensibilities of the new Ireland. Yet the general effect envisages a closer unity and greater inherent strength.” HOW WILL IT WORK? Tho “Standard” says: “That the Dominions are autonomous communities has long been recognised in principle, but tho Teal difficulty lies in its practical application, especially in regard to foreign relations in regard to which the Inter-Imperial Report states the problem rather than provides a solution. Britain’s foreign policy must bo pnided by the Empire's feeling, placing the least possible strsin on the fabric cemented by sSntirhent, rathir than carpentered by formulas.”