MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1918, Page 7

MOTHER COUNTRY.

IMPERIAL WAR CABINET. SIR JOSEPH WAKD PROBABLY EOTJUDED. Lonon, August 18. The Imperial War Caibinet lias ■been considering the question of providing for continuity in its deliberations by direct communication with representatives o£ the {British Dominions all the year round. Though now meeting yearly the Cabinet suffers owing to the intervals between '.he annual meetings. It has now been decided that the Dominions shall each have a Minister stationed: in London- The Imperial War Cabinet will meet periodically, though not so frequently as at present, with these Ministers as members, ensuring the real continuity of the Imperial Cabinet's work as the Empire's supreme executive authority, and providing a steady channel for communication between tlio British War Caibinet and the Dominions Governments. Canada already lias a permanent Minister in London. Senator Pearee and Sir Joseph Ward are considered likely to be chosen to represent Australia and New Zealand.

The Times point out thait the new position will bestow largely increased responsibilities and more freguent op. portunities on the representatives of the Dominions. It views the innovation as hardly of constitutional importance, but rather a meajis to an end than the end itself. It cannot be the final solution of Empire Government .The permanent Ministers will not in practice have the same aulitority ro power in the Dominions as the (Prime Ministers. The latter will probably find it necessary to ecmie to London periodically to attend the Cabinet, Ibut the Ministers stationed in London will keep in personal touch with events—Times.

NEW ZEALAND PRESS DELEGATION ENTERTAINED. London, August IG. Sir Thomas Mackenzie gave a dinner to the New Zealand press delegation at Clajidge'a Hotel. Lords Burnhani and Islington, Mr Prothero, Minister of Agriculture, Sir Joseph Ward, Admiral Malsey, General Richardson and the Australian Agents-General were among the guests. b Lord Burnham proposed the health of the visitors. He said that the New Zealand Press was the most British of the press, not excluding that of Britain. He paid a tribute to what New Zealand men were doing at the front. They had won golden opinions, being among the best of the Empire. He hoped to accept Mr Massey's invitation to hold an Imperial Press Conference in New Zealand after peace was declared.

Mr Reading (LytteltoA Times) responded for tlio New Zealanders and said they were delighted at the opportunity of visiting Britain and seeing the great things being done, especially for ° the wounded. Tlio delegation hoped to acquire inside knowledge of post-war problems. r Lord Islington proposed the health of Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward. He said the visit of the overseas press could have nothing but good results and would have its full effect in the future. He hoped it was the starting point of a series of reciprocal visits. He hoped the meeting of the Imperial Cabinet and imperial Conference would become a permanent institution. He believed that one outcome of this year's discussions would be that the resources of the Empire would be developed for the Empire's advanatge. It had be*n an absurd position that wl.c-ve Germany was dependent 011 the Empire for raw materials the Empire was largely dependent 011 Germany for the manufactured products. 'statemen would have to devise a scheme whereby the various parts of the Empire would "hare in the negotiations with foreign countries. If we wore to have a cohesive Empire we must have common consultation of tlio various elements.

Mr Massey, replying, said that wl.pt> the proceedings of the Imperial Conference were published they would be found productive of much good. Sir Joseph Ward said it was a good thmg for the Umpire that men from the younger countries should visit the Uld Country with its centuries of traditions behind it and see foi; themselves what was bcuig done. The men of the o\ei.sea.i Dominions looked forward to the dya when they would have a voice in the policy. He did not believe the War Cabinet was the machine to meet the Mews of the overseas countries, but it was impossible for the overseas Dominions to have a proper policy until the Motherland defined hers. Kir Thomas Mackenzie presented Captain \"i'i'coe with a medal from the -launs of New Zealand in recognition oi lus wur services, Captain Ycreoo replied that the Maoris at ilu- outbreak of war felt it their duty to do their little share in the great war —Aw.--Au5..y.,7. P*v,> Assoc. NEW ZEA LANDERS' ATHLETIC scccessek. London, August 111'. The Ni;w Zealand troops scored remarVaWc successes in t>,c Southern Cnnntlp? Military Sports. They won all the principal events. Auckland won the teams events, and Otapo Hie lug-of-war and relav.-—Au*. N.Z. Cable Assn.