IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1917, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

A.Y AUSTRALIAN' OPINION. .Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Melbourne, December 2!). Sir. Irvine considers that the inviiu- i tion to the Imperial Conference is of the most vita! importance to the future of the Empire, and particularly Australia. He considers that all other considerations should give way to the question of representation. He expected that Jh\ Hughes would disclose his intention* next week after the Liberal party had discu«?eil the position. | NEWSPAPER VIEWS. j Received 31, s.<> p.m. ' London, December 30. The Spectator says that the summoning of the overseas dominions to the War Cabinet is incomparably the great- ' est constitutional event in the Empire's history. Tho foundations of what will some day be a federated Empire have been truly laid. India's admission is a sound way of surmounting tiie Indian , difficulty. The Spectator considers President Wilson's League of Nations to pnsuro peace about as hopeless as the "holy alliance" of lSlo. The Nation, discussing the Imperial"! Conference, says that immediate and

practical purpose is harder to discern, than the national significance of the fact that the War Council will 'be swollen to twelve, apparently giving the majority to the dominions. There are able figures among the Premiers, but, excepting General Botha, it is doubtful if they can bring an appreciable contribution to its wisdom. Mr. Lloyd George may look at the conference as a means of committing the Empire to prolonged war, but we doubt whether the colonies have a peculiarly unyielding enthusiasm for a "knock-out" war. (The Nation is a peace-at-any-priee paper that before the war was always "Hgitating for a reduction in both naval said military votes).

AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATION. Received SI, 5.15 p.m. Melbourne, December 30. In view of the Imperial Conference and the representation of the Federal Government, political changes are imminent. Mr. Hughes leads the smallest party in the House. A number of 'Laborites broke away from the Political Labor League on the conscription issue, and Mr. Hughes c-annot carry on without the support of the Liberal Party against the balance of the Labor Party, which is led by M-r. Tudor. The position will be cleared up during the coming week, when it is anticipated Mr. Hughes will make a statement as to representation at the Imperial Conference and Cabinet changes. Indications point to a fusion between Mr. Hughes' following and the Liberty Party, with the inclusion of a number o£ Liberals in the Ministry.