Imperial Conference

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 313, 29 May 1911, Page 5

Imperial Conference

COLONIAL OFFICE REFORM. ADVISORY COUNCIL SUGGESTED. By Cable —Press Association—Copyrisrlit. London, May 20. The official report of the afternoon sitting of the Imperial Conference will be published to-morrow. It is understood that Sir Joseph Ward's resolution for the reconstruction of the Colonial Office was discussed. Mr. Harcourt, Secretary for the Colonies, outlined certain changes which will be embodied in a memorandum for future consideration. He pointed out that the creation of a separate Under-Secre-taryship for the dominions would be attended with difficulty, but if the change were really demanded the Government would meet the views of the Conference. Mr. Harcourt also suggested the appointment of an advisory council of High Commissioners or other dominion nominees to consult between conferences with th« Prime Minister.

It was agreed that the secretariat organised in 1901 had proved satisfactory. MEETING SIS JOSEPH WARD'S POINTS. THE GOVERNMENT'S READINESS. FURTHER DISCUSSION. Received 28, 7 p.m. London, May 26. Sir Joseph Ward accepted Mr. Asquith's suggestion that Mr. L. Harcourt should make a statement before proceeding with the resolution.

Mr. Harcourt said the Government hoped to meet many of Sir Joseph Ward's points, but there were certain disadvantages in having separate secretaryships. It would be obviously difficult to conduct the office with co-equal permanent heads. Another difficulty was that only one person with a knowledge of the dominions and Crown colonies could be a political head. It would not be advantageous to have a secretary for the dominions wholly divorced from a knowledge cf proceeding in the Crown colonies and protectorates, and continuous particulars of the dominions. The Government would be prepared to establish an advisory committee with purely advisory powers. The committee should not be tied too closely as regards personnel, but frequent changes would militate against a continuity of knowledge.

Sir Joseph Ward said the resolution was intened to secure organic machinery to discuss and advise on important questions. Without blaming the Colonial Office he said Nevy Zealand frequently felt insufficiently well informed on matters of routine. He required time to consider the appointing of a High Commissioners' Committee. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said he was satisfied with the present system. Canada, however, would not object if the others desired a change. He thought an advisory committee would be cumbrous and unsatisfactory, and might make recommendations suitable to one part and unsuitable to another.

Mr. Asquith said he thought only questions common to all parties should be dealt with. Mr. Fisher said the services of High

Commissioners were valuable in voicing the views on particular matters, but he had grave doubts of a standing committee taking a vote on matters of common concern. The proposal would extend the functions of commissioners in consultative authority. The question was not yet prominent, but the feeling existed in favor of dominion matters coming under the Foreign Office instead of under the Colonial Office. As nations they were desirous of entering into the spirit of the policy governing the Empire.' He suggested that Sir Wilfrid Laurier might give a lead by bringing forward a resolution vesting distinct authoritative powers to the High Commissioners to enter into negotiations with responsibility to their respective Governments. The Declaration of London was an instance where the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, had he communicated with the High Commissioners, could have learned the views of the dominions confidentially, and certain difficulties might have been obviated.

The other delegates expressed themselves as satisfied with the present system.

Mr. Asquith said he did not wish to press the establishing of a committee, unless it was generally approved. Referring to the South African resolution, seeking to place colonial affairs under the Prime Minister, he said he was impressed with the fact that it would be impossible for a Prime Minister to conscientiously discharge the duties. The Conference postponed further discussion pending the circulation of Mr. Harcourt's memorandum. AN IMPORTANT DEPARTURE. MEETING OF DEFENCE COMMITTEE. ► COLONIAL PREMIERS ATTEND. SECRET PROCEEDINGS. Received 27, 5.5 p.m. London, May 27. The Imperial Conference delegates attended a special meeting of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Mr. Asquith presided, and there were also present: Mr. L. Harcourt (Secretary for the Colonies), Mr. R. McKenna (First Lord of the Admiralty), Lord Ilaldane ("Minister for War), Lord Crewe (Secretary for India), Lord Kitchener, Lord Esher, General Sir W. G. Nicholson, Admiral Sir A. K. Wilson, General Sir lan Hamilton and others. Sir Edward Grey (Minister for Foreign Affairs) spoke of Britain's foreign relations and the common interests of the Empire. The proceedings were conducted in secret and will be resumed on Monday or Tuesday. ' "" tr •

" THE DOOR NOW OPENED." THE PREMIERS DELIGHTED. Received 28, 5.5 p.m. London, May 27. The overseas delegates are delighted with the new departure of frankly admitting them to the confidence of the Imperial Government's inner circle. The newspapers declare that yesterday's meeting was practically an Imperial Cabinet. The Council door was now opened and can never be shut. The Daily News says the Imperial Council as expounded by Sir Joseph Ward would develop a constitutional revolution of the first magnitude. The Standard declares that although neither in the dominions nor here are the people prepared for Sir Joseph Ward's advanced Imperialism, it is certain that the task of putting the relations on a sounder basis than sentiment cannot be postponed for ever.

AN AUSTRALIAN OPINION. Received 28, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, May 27. Mr. Hughes, Acting-Premier, referring to Sir Joseph Ward's Imperial Council scheme, said the proposal was ambitious. He saw no objection to it, though the matter would largely depend on convincing British authorities of the wisdom of the suggestions. As far. as lie could see, the whole subject was characterised by vagueness and uncertainty. He preferred not to express a definite opinion. LIBERALS' GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT. THE COLONIES' SELF-GOVERNMENT. SPEECH BY MR. LLOYD-GEORGE. Received 29, 12.20 a.m. London, May 28. Five hundred guests attended the Eighty Club luncheon at the Hotel Cecil, including many leading colonial visitors. Mr. Lloyd-George (Chancellor of the Exchequer), who presided, declared the conferring of self-government upon the great communities within the Empire was the greatest of aTI the Liberals' achievements. He was proud to see them growing in strength, influence and power. The Liberal Party felt it could share in the triumphant vindication of democratic government which the dominions presented to the civilised world. There was no greater mistake of statesmanship than to imagine that a narrower patriotism excluded a wider one. As Liberals they studied and watched with" admiration and a spirit of emulation the boldness of several of the experiments of tha sister Statc=. It was an education to see how t< : r enterprise and courage inspired cf ■ which was extricating humanity from the undergrowth wherein it was tangled. Doubtless the war would be finally cut for humanity to march through to the light. Sir Joseph Ward emphasised the cordial affection for the Motherland existing in New Zealand. He believed the British overseas Governments were acting in such a way as nothing done in future would lead to separation, and when the dominions numbered scores of millions the people would be attached to the Mother Country by ties which would ever be remembered. PRESS COMMENTS. London, May 20. The Morning Post, commenting on the Conference, says the unseen hand of the Government is guiding the Conference into the arena of Imperial defence, almost to the exclusion of other great subjects. The Pall Mall Gazette says the Conference is not an apparently strong body in point of initiative. Sir Joseph Ward's resolution elicited difficulties, but little was forthcoming in the way of constructive suggestion. Real statesmanship should not be satisfied with :i spirit of resigned impotence.

The Westminster Gazette says Sir Joseph Ward has done very good service in bringing the Imperial Council from the clouds to solid earth, and the road is now clear for the development of the consultative idea.