NEW IDEA OF EMPIRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12613, 25 November 1926, Page 7

NEW IDEA OF EMPIRE

DEFINITE POINT REACHED IN ITS DEVELOPMENT DOMINIONS INTERLOCKED “IT WILL MAKE THE ENEMIES OF THE EMPIRE BLASPHEMf By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copvriglu. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received November 24, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. • in reviewing the final meeting of the Imperial Conference, ntr J. C. C. Davidson, Minister for Publicity, said the most striking thing about the Conference was its spirit, which was entirely new, the feeling being that the Empire had reached a definite point in its development. Hitherto the conception had been that the Mother Country was the focus, and that the Dominions were at the ends of lines on the map, but now they were spokes in a wheel which partook more of the nature of a web, in view of the direct mutual communications. The Dominions were, so to speak, interlocked. “Those who thought the Empire was going to fly to pieces are faced by the discouraging fact that you can see interlocking running through the whole of the inter-imperial relations report, said Mr Davidson. “The Conference’s practical results are most considerable. General Hertzog, whom many were inclined to think might find the position difficult, returns completely satisfied with what he has learnt of the true position of the Empire. “It will make the enemies of the Empire blaspheme, and that is a most satisfactory thing. “Importance attaches to the phraseology of the Air Communications report, in which reference is made to his Majesty’s Governments in Great Britain and South Africa, and his Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia. Mr Bruce is no longer Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, but is the King’s Prime Minister in the Commonwealth. The position is similar regarding General Hertzog in South Africa and Mr Baldwin in Britain. That may seem a small thing, but it is most important.”