EMPIRE CONFERENCE
A SATISFACTORY ENDING GENERAL HERTZOG SATISFIED IS DEEPLY GRATEFUL General Hertzog, Prime Minister of South said: “I feel that I have every right to say that the conference’s achievements satisfy the Dutch and English-speaking South Africans. Personally I feel that I have attained my objective in snoh a maniter as removes all doubts and suspicions concerning our national status. “I feel that nothing was ever accomplished so calculated to lay dSep and enduring foundations of international co-opera-tion and genuine good-feeling between thq members of the British Commonwealth. “1 have the highest appreciation of the cordial and sytnjiathetic manner in which British statesman not only realised the importance of the issues, but also the way In which they have co-operated with the Dominions in the clarification of the position and the removal of difficulties. What perhaps is most remarkable is the unanimity of all the Dominions and Great Britain, with Which a difficult and arduous task was accomplished.” GENERAL SMUTS APPROVES CAPETOWN, November 22. Interviewed by the “Cape Times,” General Smuts said that he cordially welcomed the Imperial Conference report on Dominion status, which leaves the position substantially as it has been generally understood since the Peace Conference, and as repeatedly stated by spokesmen of the Imperial Government, and by himself and other Dominion representatives. A number of small adjustments are proposed, which clear up minor points, but these do not touch tho great principles. These refer to the King’s title, the position of . Governors-General, and their recognition as Consuls, the exercise of the King’s veto, the operation of Dominion lawß outside their own territories, and appeals to the Privy Council. The equality of the Dominions is affirmed ’in broad terms, but the diplomatic unity of the Empire is unaffected, and the lead in foreign affairs continues to be taken by the British Government. The principle of consultation where other parts of the Empire are affected is fully maintained, treaty-making power being left practically as it was settled at the 1923 conference. General Smuts added that he was
pleased with what had been done, as well as pleased with what had ' been wisely let alone. He was still more pleased that’ General Hertzogc was at last satisfied, and that he thinks the whqle of ’ the people of South Africa will be satisfied. IRELAND’S MIND AT REST LONDON, November 22. The Dublin correspondent of “The Times” says that there is every likelihood that the Irish people will be satisfied that the work of the-confer-ence will strengthen the position of the Government of the Free State, to Which the -Conference conceded changes effecting a welcome improvement in the relations hetween London and Dublin. “The establishment of Dominion autonomy will gratify popular sentiment. While allegiance is established lo a common King, the ties of blood are the real Lord of (he Empire. The Free State delegates accepted the obligation, not merely in letter, but in spirit. Henceforward, loyalty to the Crown will cease to be a party political question.
Tho old Unionist classes should be fully reconciled to the new regime. The change in the King’s title gives special pleasure since it translates the old ideal of a Kingdom of Ireland into practice. The changed status of the Governor-General to the King’s direct representative is v also welcome: A probable early' result will be the appointment of a British High Commissioner in Dublin, followed by a northern Irish representative at Dublin, and a free State High Commissioner at Belfast. “ADROIT AND COMPACT” VANCOUVER, November 22. The Canadian newspapers for the most part regard the result of the Imperial Conference as merely setting down definitely and conspicuously what has been a tacit understanding growing through the years between the Mother Country and the Dominions. ' The “Montreal Star” refers to the report as the ‘‘Magna Charta for the Dominions. It is very adroit and compact, and contains little that is important and new, yet ib so phrased that General Hertssog will be able to get up before his Afrikanders on the veldt and use phrases which will seem to Show that he successfully championed their most determined demands.” AS A FRENCHMAN SEES IT PARIS, November 22. Analysing the Imperial ConferShce report, “Pertinax” says that Britain will be more averse to written alliances,. sirice in_ times of stress her attitude will be influenced by the Dominions. “It is difficult to conduct foreign policy when Empjre-wifle approval is necessary,” he says, “and sooner or later sortie grave accident will explode the system. Let us hope we afe not involved in £Bst accident.”
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New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12612, 24 November 1926, Page 7
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756EMPIRE CONFERENCE New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12612, 24 November 1926, Page 7
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