Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 5, 30 November 1916, Page 5

Great Britain

iMPERIAL FEDERATION. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS. GREAT IMPERIAL NAVY URGEO Press Association— Copyright, Ausu<> lian and N.Z. Cable Association I . London, November 29.

Sir Joseph Ward addressed a meeting of the Insurance Institute uGresham College. The Lord Mayor Und many city notables attended. I The speech emphasised that m U«. 'future reconstruction of the Empire 'there conld not be any interference with local autonomy. Though an Imperial Parliament might be a lo?g way off, they might now work l<» some effective Imperial Conned or De 'fence Council. Before an organic j Parliament was possible there mast be a devolution, and Britain must pave the way for a Federal Legislature, sc that the Dominions overseas maj I have the right t even a minority voic: 'as to whether the nation should g|to war, or what peace terms should be entertained. He quoted Mr Acquith's speech at the 1911 Conference, wherein it was stated that an Imperial Parliament scheme would impair the authority of the British Parliament. Sir Joseph Ward added that since then there had been a great evolution of opinion on the subject, and Mr Bonar Law had declared that, as the result of the war, the time was coming when the overseas Dominions would share the government of the Empire witli Britain. He hoped that before the war ended some modus vivendi would be established. He advocated the creation of a great Imperial Isavy. While he was proud of what Australia had done, none ol the overseas Dominions could bear the cost of separate navies, for our new territories in the Pacific demanded a treatcr fleet there in tiie future.

Dealing with economics, Sir Joseph Ward said there must'be great industrial changes, for the colosal debt which every part of the Empire would have to bear made it the bbounden duty of each to help the others. Mr Lloyd George's financial, scheme early.in the war proved that it was practicable, to have an Empire partnership. When the war was over the heart of the Chancellor of the Exchequer had got to be softened on the question#>f ■ double income tax. We should not compel a man who paid a tax in one part of the Empire to pay it in another. He urged consideration of an emigration scheme to keep people within the Empire.

WAR OFFICE STORITS.

RUMOURS REFUTED.

Loudon, November 29

In the House of Lords, replying to a rumour that Mr Lloyd George had arbitratorily appointed a civilian (MiEric Gedges) to replace a military officer in an important position connected with communications in Prance, Lord Derby donied the charges. The entire Army Council had the fullest, confidence in. Sir Douglas Haig, and it was untrue that friction existed between General Haig and any momber of the Council. It was impossible there could be an equal combination l of success, but both Generals Haig and Robertson were one in the desire that everybody at • the War Office should assist that cobination. Idle rumours were calculated to do infinite harm in helping to destroy confidence. |Mr Gedges' post was a new 'one, and it had Sir Douglas Haig's approval.