OPENING OF IMPERIAL WAR CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 25 June 1918, Page 5

OPENING OF IMPERIAL WAR CONFERENCE.

RESUME OF PROCEEDINGS. WELLINGTON, tbis day. The following is a telegraphic summary of the proceedings of the Imperial War Conference sent to His Excellency the Governor-General by the Secretary of State for Colonies:— “Imperial War Conference held Its first meeting on 12th June under the chairmanship of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs and India were also present, with representatives of Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland. The chairman, in his opening address, described briefly the important work done on the resolutions passed by last year’s conference, and reviewed the work likely to come before the Conference this year, particularly in the economic sphere. Representatives of the Oversea Dominions and the Secretary of State for India replied, emphasising in particular the 'resourcefulness of the British Navy in securing the attendance of representatives form all parts of the world without a hitch, and in security. 'A loyal resolution was passed to His Majesty the King, and much emphasis was laid on the devotion and unremitting work of the Royal family during the strain of the war. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs also addressed the Conference. He emphasised the unique spectacle presented to the world by the selfgoverning parts of the British Empire standing together and co-operating in spite of war, and laid special stress on the immense possibilities arising through the entry of the" United States into the war for the promotion of the future happiness and freedom of mankind. A second meeting was held on 17th June, at which delegates from Australia and India were also present, thus making the Conference completely representative for the first time of, all parts of the Empire. A message was read from His Majesty in reply to the loyal resolution. The Conference proceeded to deal with the work of the Imperial War Graves Commission. This Commission was established under the presidency of the Prince of j Wales ,as a result of a resolution passj ed by the Conference last year. Much 1 emphasis Avas laid by the [. Dominion 1 representati\ r es on the need for all I possible pressure on Turkey To safe, guard the graves at Gallipoli, and great interest . was shown on the question - of ■ headstones

and badges for graves of Dominion troops. • Strong feeling was also expressed in favour of the dacis-

ion of the Commission -to give a common form of memorial for all ranks, A resolution was passed commending the labours of the Commission since its establishment, in favour of the cost of carrying out its decisions being borne by the respective Governments of the Empire in proportion to number of graves of their dead. This cost is estimated, according to information at present available, at an average of £lO per officer and man buried. The cost of erecting memorials to those whose graves are not identified has not yet been estiajated but it is thought likely to be considerably less in proportion. The Conference next discussed the question of the establishment tf a central authority in the United Kingdom to supervise the emigration of exservice men and others after the war The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonics explained the provisions of the Emigration Bill now before the Imperial Parliament, and discussion ensued. The question chiefly arising was whether the representatives of the Overseas Dominions in the United Kingdom should be associated with the executive work of the now body proposed under the Bill, or should assist in an advisory capacity. Discussion was not completed and was adjourned. A third meeting of the Conference was held on Juno 19th. At this various phases of the Imperial Economic Policy after the War were raised and proceedings, were necessarily of a confidential character. Ko conclusion was reached and the discussion will be continued at subsequent meetings.