AN IMPERIAL FEDERATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 175, 3 November 1910, Page 5

AN IMPERIAL FEDERATION

THE " THUNDERER'SOPINION. By Cabie—Press Association—Copyright. Received 2, p.m. .Loudon, November 2. The Times endorses Mr. u. C. Aniery's opinion thai Imperial Federation would neither Lie lunueicd by genuine devolution nor helped. Open federation of Great Britain, in any ease, is too far oil to be admitted as a factor in the present domestic calculation.

Referring to a cablegram from the Sydney correspondent oi the Times, the paper adds that it is important to note that Australians are already taking alarm at the mere discussion of Imperial Federation in connection with a purely British problem. . A FURTHER CONTRIBUTION FROM '• PACIFICUS." REPRESENTATIVE CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. . Received 2, 11.5 p.m. London, November 2.

"Pacificus," in his letter, suggested a convention similar to the United States and South African Conventions, broadly representative of tlie ''main divisions of political opinion, which would sit with. closed doors to fofnjulate a proposai'to end the present difficulty. Piirliairterib' could afterwards accept, amend or reject the proposal. "Pacificus" concludes: "It ( is contended - thai, thp introduction. of Federalism into ;the .United Kingdom would make "Imperial uiiion harder' 1 to achieve. This is-unthie. An Imperial i Parliament alone l is Required to assontj. to a scheme of Imperial Union. Therdtyfi minions are very shy of entering in.toh our discussions-even on matters of de? fence, beeause~of the confusion of party, issues existing. The present Parliamentary system makes it almost impossible for the dominions ~to support any line of policy with out)'identifying themselves with one or other of the British parties. If the convention solves Home Rule for

Ireland or the ]3ou=p pf Lords question, it will create a precedent giving hope that a similar.convention could discover a method, consistent with popular government and ambitions, for ariving at an understanding between the United Kingdom and the dominions.