IMPERIAL AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 July 1918, Page 7

IMPERIAL AFFAIRS.

MR. MASSEY'S VIEWS ON THE DOMINIONS' PART. Received June 29, 5.40 p.m. London, June 28. Mr. Massey, interviewed, said: "By these meetings the Imperial War Cabinet is practically framing a constitution that will go on improving, developing, and broadening, down from precedent to precedent for centuries to come, thus giving British citizens in the Dominions the right to representation in Imperial affairs, to which they are indisputably entitled. They 1 had never before had a say, and now, for the first time, are placed on equality with the United Kingdom. As the sittings continue, the possibilities of improvement will be taken advantage of. There is no doubt that when the war ends the Imperial Cabinet will continue. I believe arrangements will be made for an annual session. I think the principal Dominions will have resident Ministers here, sitting as members of the Imperial Cabinet. New Zealand has not considered the question of having a Minister here for the duration of the war as Canada lias, and as suggested by Australia, but it may do. The duties of a resident ; Minister would be more political than commercial. The High Commissioner I would, doubtless, remain as representa- I tive on the business side. It is essential | that the political representative should be a member of the Government he represents. So far as lam able to judge, the British Ministers and leading statesmen are favorable to my view, and are prepared to allow the Dominions a full say in all Imperial matters. Thia, proposal would not interfere with my conception of Imperial federation."— Reuter.