THE PARIS CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1916, Page 5

THE PARIS CONFERENCE.

JftENCH VIEWS, i ' FEELING IN CANADA. Received March 21, 12.25 a.m. London, March 20. Tho Times' Paris correspondent says that tho Allied conference will probably meet on March 27. It appears that there is some misapprehension in England regarding France's desires in respect to economic relations. The French regard this aspect of the war as of vital importance, worthy of much more definite treatment than' Mr. Asquith has given it. The French are bewildered by the anxiety which the proposed conference has aroused in freetrade circles in England. _ France is not trying to lure Britain into a protectionist ambush, and there is no foundation for the belief that the conference will bind the parties to a change of their fiscal systems without reference to their parliaments; but no reasonable Frenchman will regard as satisfactory a settlement whic-U will enable the Germans immediately after the war to subjugate foreign competitors and re-create centres oP political and commercial espionage. The French are pleased and surprised to find the British Dominions ahead of their Mother Country in this maun. The Times' correspondent at Toronto says that Sir It. Borden would doubtless desire to attend the Paris conference if Parliament was not sitting, but no apprehension is felt that Canada's interests will be neglected either as regards the terms of peace or her commercial agreements. Mr. Hughes' speech made a singularly favorable impression in Ottawa, for as the result of his conference with Canadian statesmen he could speak for Canada as authoritatively as h'e could for Australia. TRADE AFTER THE WAR. London, March' 19. The Times deprecates attempts to tie the hands of the Government at the Paris Conference, but says it is impossible to ignore the subtle movement to postpone a settlement indefinitely. There Is good reason to believe that a firm and united policy would tend to shorten the war, moreover the matter concerns the future relations of the Empire. Mr. Hughes is making notable contributions to the formation of a sound Imperial policy, and stands for exactly those robust principles of national -security which tiie \vj,' is slowly restoring to British politic?. Whoever the- British representatives may be they should include so sane and vigorous a spokesman from the Dominions. If the Government thinks we are going into peace as unprepared as we went into war it knows singularly little of public feeling. The people expect decisive action and want an effective consolidation of the Empire. They intend that the views put forward in Paris shall be the views of the five British democracies, not the views of a little oligarchy of English Liberals. Mr. Denman, M.P., points out the importance of Mr. Samuel's declaration that the Government is ready to admit the Dominions to share the decision on policy as soon as they desire admission. He adds: "When the Government is faced with the pence negotiations adequate consultation of the Dominions will be quite impracticable, therefore Cabinet should have previously made a microcosm of the Empire bv the addition of representatives of the Dominions. Canada has as much direct right, to share in the decision as, say, the Labor Party. THE PROBLEM OF THE FUTURE. CONTROL OF EMPIRE'S FOREIGN POLICY. Received March 20, 10.40 p.m. London. March 20. The Manchester Guardian says that the problem of the future is in what way a political union can make things more definite, without undoing the growth of sentiment which is worth more than the most perfect political institutions. Yet there must be some definite expression of unity. It would seem clear that the Dominions, in return for the help they have 98 willingly given and are giving, expect to be, in some manner, consulted upon the principles that shape the Empire's foreign policy. When peace comes there will be a demand for closer intercourse between the leaders of the foreign policy and the members of Parliament.. Whatever share of control this country demands the same may reasonably be expected by the Dominions. One of the most difficult problems of the future will be the thinking-out organ of the Government which, while leaving internal matters to the control of each part of the Empire, will bring foreign policy and defence under Hie guidance of som> Common Council, ! chosen by those responsible in all parts of the Empire, and that internal autonomy must extend to the Mother Country as well as to the Dominions. ROYALTY ENTERTAINS CONVALESCENTS. Received March 20, 8.!15 p.m. Louden, March !!*. The King and Queen are entertaining convalescent soldiers at Buckingham Palace to afternoon tea and a concert on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. There will be a thousand daily, and ■many Anzacs have been invited."