NOT ALL FAVOURABLE

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

NOT ALL FAVOURABLE

COMMENT ON CONFERENCE NEW STATUS OF THE DOMINIONS j HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH? By Telegraph.— Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received November 24, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 24. The Press generally commends the spirit of the Imperial Conference, and regards its proceedings as fruitful, but there is a note of criticism in some editorials. The “Morning Post” states: “No doubt there are local questions where the Dominions’ power to make separate treaties with foreign nations may be useful, but we think the tendency suggested is weakening, and therefore dangerous. The Dominions will doubtless, in practice, find that they carry

much less weight when they approach a great Power singly than when the matter is handled with the whole weight of the British Empire behind it.”

Discussing defence* the “Morn- . ing Post** stresses the view that the status of the Dominions would not long survive were the Empire to fall They would be prizes of war* helpless to protect their trade and liberties* and even their existence. The “Daily Chronicle” states: “Bonds implying subordination have been swept away, but actual bond* there must be if Imperial relationship is to be a success—bonds of interest in trade, of defence, of migration, and of culture. No machinery .helping to strengthen these should be neglected.’’ WHAT OF DISARMAMENT? The “Daily News” says: “TKe conference makes not a single suggestion whereby the Empire can assist in tho work of disarmament. On the contrary it recognises, even after & large measure of reduction has been secured (presumably by other nations) that a formidable effort to maintain her own forces will be necessary to Great Britain. This, assuredly, is another victory for our masters in 'Whitehall.”