THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EMPIRE.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 August 1918, Page 5

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EMPIRE.

DOMINION'S REPRESENTATIVES TO BE PERMANENTLY' STATIONED IN ENGLAND SIR J. G. WARD'S NAME MENTIONED Received 9 a.m. - LONDON, Aug. 16, Tn £.. Imperial War Cabinet has been .considering'the question of providing i contiguity jTn the .-deliberations by direct communication'.'with the British ..dominions' representatives all* ' the year round. Though "' now meeting yearly this aspect suffers owing to the intervals between the annual meetings, and it has now been decided that the Dominions each have a minister stationed in London. The War Cabinet will meet periodically, though not so frequently, with these ministers as members, ensuring real continuity in the Imperial Cabinet's work as the Empire's supreme executive authority, and providing a steady channel for the communication of information between British War Cabinet and the ! Dominions. The Government of Canada already has a permanent Minister in London. Messrs. Pearce and Ward are considered likely to be chosen to represent Australia and New Zealand.

The Times points out the new positions will bestow largely increased responsibiliti'os and •more ffrequent opportunities to represent the Dominion's views. The innovation, though hardly constitutional is of importance rather as a means to an end than the end itself; but it cannot be a final solution of Empire Government. Permanent ministers wilf not in practice have the s,aine authority and power as the Dominion Prime ■Minister. The latter will probably find it necessary to come to London periodically to attend the Cabinet, but a representative will be stationed here to keep in personal touch with events. .'■.'. !• >' AN HISTORIC DINNER. '•' TO" OVERSEAS PRESSMEN: : • LONDON, August 16. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, High Commissioner, gave a dinner to the New Zealand Press Delegation at Claridge's. Lords Burnham and Islington, Mr. Prothero, Sir Joseph Maclay, Mr. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, Admiral Halsey, General Richardson, and the Australian Agent-General were among the guests. Lord Burnham proposed the health of the visitors and said: The New Zealand Press was the most British of the Press, not excluding that of Britain. He paid a tribute for what New Zealand men were doing at the front. They had won golden opinions, being among the best of the Empire. He hoped to accept Mr. Massey's invitation to hold an Imperial Press Conference in New Zealand after peace. Lord Reading responded. , New. Zealanders, he said, were delighted a.t the opportunity .of visiting Britain and peeing,, the great things being done, especially for the wounded. The delegation hoped to acquire inside'knowledge of post-war problems. Lord Islington proposed Mr. Massey's and Sir Joseph Ward's health, and said the visit of the Overseas Press could have nothing but good results, and would have its full effect in the future. He hoped it was the starting-point of a series of reciprocal visits. He hoped the meetings of Imperial Cabinets and conferences would become permanent institutions. He believed one outcome of this year's discussions would be that the resources of the Empire would be used to the Empire's advantage. We had reached the position that while Germany was dependent upon the Empire for raw materials the Empire was largely dependent on Germany for the manufactured product. Our statesmen will have to devise a scheme whereby the various parts of the Empire would share in negotiations with foreign countries. If we were to have a cohesive Empire we must have common consultation with the various elements.

Mr. Massey, replying, said that when the proceedings of the Imperial conference were published it would be found to be productive of much good. Sir Joseph Ward said it was a good thing for the Empire that men from the younger countries should visit the Old Country, with its centuries of traditions behind it and see for themselves what is being done. Men in the overseas dominions looked forward to the day when they would have a voice on all Empire matters and foreign policy. He did not believe the War Cabinet was a machine to meet the views of overseas countries, but it was impossible for the overseas dominions to have a proper policy until the Motherland defines hers. Sir Thos-Mackenzie presented Captain Vercoe with a medal from the Maoris of New Zealand in recognition of war services. Captain Vercoe replied that the Maoris at the outbreak of war felt it a duty to do their little share in the great war.