The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1905. CLOSER ORGANISATION OF THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7800, 17 April 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1905. CLOSER ORGANISATION OF THE EMPIRE.

The attention which in rooent timos has been given to the subject of Imperial unity is 'distinctly a step in the right direction. At the present time two very important schemes have been promulgated, having for their object the actual political unity of tho British race. One is the proposed Colonial Conference, which the Under-Secretary of State far the'~Colonies, in reply to .Lord llalfour. of Burldigh, declared was to be a! frco and unfettered con fray nee, to discuss whether the idea of (loser union—on a commercial or rny other tasis—commended Itself to tho delegates, and if so, in what precise manner such union could be carried into effect, the result arrived at to be communicated to the Colonial Governments. Tho other scheme is that for an Imperial Council, propounded 'by Sir Frederick! Pollock, detailed in a paper read at tho Colonial Institute, and warmly commanded by representative colonists and statesmen. Whatever ma.v be tlie outcome of either or both of these suggestions ilie mere fact of their existence is satisfactory evidence o£ the chunge that has taken place in the attitude of statesmen and jurists on the question of the purt which the colonies should play in Imperial affairs. There .was a time when the ignorance of Imperial statesmen constituted the chief menace to the integrity of the Empire. 4'liis has given place to an activity which may prove embarrassing unless all party spirit is eliminated from the discussion on thfl matter. This, however, so far as the proposed conference is concerned, is just what is not being done, and, as a conscjijucnse some Journals are prophesying that certain failuit: will ensue Ixcause the representatives, both British and Colonial, will only have power to talk. Curiously enough, it is on this very ground that Sir Frederick Pollock's scheme for Imperial organisation finds favour. As a matter of fact both proposals tend to the same end. The very nature and raison d'etre of a conference is for the purpose of eliciting and recording the various views and opinions of those taking part therein, so that good may accrue. A conference, nq matter how high a position . the members may occupy. Is not » legislative assembly, although it may be the fount from which legislation may spring. As a means of ascertaining the opinions of the Government iu each of the colonies, with the object ot securing greater unity, the proposed conference is to be commended. Whether or not its decisions will be acted on is matter for conjecture, and dependent in great measure on the spirit which animates the units of which it would be comprised. At all events, no harm can be done, and there is a prospect of much good. With regard tq| the Imperial organisation scheme if only that it emanates from one of the most distinguished jurists of the I'hitod Kingdom, it demands careful and impartial attention. It proposes an Imperial Council of Advice, and il permanent Imperial Commission, which have for its province the study of all Xmpi' rial questions, the collection of no 1 cessary Imperial information,, and the consequent linking together of tho disconnected work of the existing Imperial departments. For the time being neither the Imperial nor the subordinate colonial organisation would be changed. The Parliament of the United Kingdom, the Parliaments ol' tho self-governing colonies,"The Governments of the Crown , Colonies un<| Dependencies would continue as lliey art at parent. The Imperial Council would not be arbitrarily superimposed upon them, nor would the Imperial Commission have any power or authority to interfere with l or constrain them. At tho sftma time there would exist the nucleus of a cpntpa} bbt|y and a central administration which would voice tho views held in every part of the Kmpire, bringing to bear on all questions that intimate and accurate knowledge of all matters, both smajl and great, which is so essential to the furtherance of the common interests of the whole Englishspeaking race. Tlfc evolution of political chauges requisite to meet the ever increasing expansion oj the British dominions must necessarily i be slow, but thp march of events is hastening matters so pui(;h that the need for some such Gommonsense scheme as that evolved by Sir Frederick Pollock is becoming more and moit> apparent. At first its power might be nil, but its influence would certainly grow provided tho decisions aiwvod at were such as found favour with those concerned. The experiment is one that might be made, and it will be surprising if such a competent means does not effect the purpose for which it is desiguetl,. '