IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 26 May 1917, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

MIN UTES PUB LI SHED. Received it 15 a.m. LONDON, May 25. In a Blue Bock dealing with the Imperial Conference the minutes show that Mr. Walter Long, in his opening ad dross, said he was satisfied Germany was making the most complete preparalions for competition after the war. In the battle we were found unprepared, but he hoped we would not again be caught unprepared in the peaceful condiet which was to come after the war, wherein we ought to do something more than hold our own. Therefore he believed the onferenco must be helpful. General Smuts thought matters connected with the war should be settled by tiiis conference. Sir J. W. Ward disagreed, and thought they should discuss matters that would affect the Empire after the war. If we began 12 months after the war we would begin 12 months too late. He hoped to see proposals and the enemy’s insidious attacks circumvented concerning vital trade interests. There should be discussion concerning the value of the Pacific to the Empire, also subventions tfo Britishshipping should be disussed. We should also deal with the naturalisation of our Allies after the war, and make the action uniform.

There were lengthy discussions on the care of soldiers' graves, constitution of the Umpire, and double income, tax. Mr. Massey took exception to the draft charter for the care of the gla\cs for not specifically mentioning Gallipoli. Mr. Burden thought the charter should make reference k> all the j teat res of the war. , Mr. Massey contended other placets were not in the same position, because Gallipoli was in an enemy country. Other members pointed out that IaIcstino, Salonika, and Mesopotamia were in the same category as Gallipoli. The conference ultimately adopted the sesolution already cabled also that the maintenance of the graves, should be made a national charge. Received 9.15. LONDON, May 25. Mr. Borden, speaking, bn the resolution dealing with the constitution of the Empire! said he locked forward to development along lines of an increasingly equal status of the Dominions and the Mother Country. He believed the Dominions fully realised the ideal of an Imperial Commonwealth .of united nations, with the crown as the tie. Under present conditions it would be unwise for the Conference to attempt to go into the subject. He hoped the delegations to the next conference vcould he thoroughly representative of all parties. Mr. Massey, seconding agreed with General Smuts, and considered the circumstances of the Empire entirely preclude a federal solution. The attempt to run the different races, languages, economic conditions, and even common concerns, would absolutely court disaster. >

Sir Joseph 'Ward strongly opposed any attempt to hand over the, control of individual defence forces to any Empire Parliament, but reiterated bis previous view on the necessity for siich a parliament; meanwhile there ought to be overseas’ representatives in the British Cabinet.

During the discussion on the double income tax, Treasury officials stated it was absolutely impossible to inquire into the subject until after the war, owing to the depleted staff.

INDIA AND THE EMPIRE

LONDON, May 24

A Blue Book of 163 pages, dealing with the proceedings of the Imperial War Conference, contains the resolutions already cabled, extracts from the minutes and a number of papers laid before the conference, notably a memorandum on emigration from India. to the Doinions presented by Indian representatives, which the Conference recommended to the favourable consideration of the Governments concerned. It suggests that Indians already permanently settled in the Dominions shall ibe allowed to bring their wives, subject to the rule of monogamy and minor children, In other respects not less privileged than Japanese immigrants. Future admission cf Indian labour or Indian settlement is to be regulated on lines not less favourable to those governing/ other Asiatics. If this is impossible there might be reciprocal treatment by India and each dominion. If a dominions determined to exxdude these two classes, India shall be free to do the same. It is clearly recognised that the exclusion in cither case will not have as its motive race prejudice, but be the outcome of different economic conditions. In the event of such exclusion, reciprocal arrangements arc to bp made granting facilities fop. the admission of tourists, students, and business visits, entailing temporary residence.