The Daily News. TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1919. THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1919. THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

It .is now stated that the question of representation at the Peace Conference lias been definitely settled. Tlie main responsibility for arranging the terms of peace will naturally fall upon the four Great Powers. Certainly the final decision yrill be theirs, but the British Dominions and the small nations will be given full opportunity for stating their views and voicing their claims. According to a recent cable message there will be five British delegates, so it may be assumed the other Great Powers will have a similar number. The delegates representing Britain are stated to be Messrs. Lloyd George, Bonar Law, A. J. Balfour, either Mr. C. N. Barnes or Lord Milner, and a Dominion Premier, it being so arranged that, each of the Dominion's Premiers shall take it in turn to sit at the Conference, so that it may he said the whole Empire will be represented thereat. It is manifest that if the work of the Conference is to be finished within a reasonable time it is necessary to restrict the number of delegates attending the sessions, and much thought has evidently been given to this important detail. Apparently there is an elasticity in the con- | stitution of the Conference except l numerically, it being so arranged that delegates changed so

as to provide for the discussion of the various subjects by those best acquainted therewith. Hence, although th| total number piv"-" at any one sitting is limkeii the Conference may have the bt i fit of the views and opinions of a considerable number of statesmen of the highest rank and largest experience. We do not see how this method could be improved upon, and the inclusion of a Dominion Premier as one of the five British delegates should be satisfactory to all concerned, especially in view of the provision that the Dominions may also have two delegates present, as small nations, whenever their interests are particularly involved, though their functions will then be limited to advocacy of such matters as indemnities, the future of the Pacific Islands, demobilisation, etc. The task that' faces the Peace Conference is so vast and of 'such far-reaching import that it imposes an enormous strain on the delegates of the four Great Powers responsible for devising the machinery by which the risk of International strife shall be averted, and the crushing burdens of naval and military armaments redilced. King George struck the right note recently when he said: "The doctrine that force shall rale the world has been disproved and destroyed. Let us enthrone the rule of Justice and International Right. ... For centuries past Britai" lias led the world along the path of ordered ifreedom. Leadership may still be hers among the peoples who are seeking to follow that path. God grant to their efforts such wisdom and perseverance as shall ens are stability for the days to. come!" If this spirit animates the delegates, as it probably will; then we may well expect the final result of their deliberations to be fully worthy of .the lessons of the war and of the great sacrifices made in the cause of freedom and justice. To its other duties the Conference must act as a tribunal which will pass judgment on our enemies, for without fitting punishment there can be no lasting peace. The colossal struggle is over, and the Conference is charged with the solemn duty of bringing in a new era which, in the words of Mr. Lloyd George, "is going to lift humanity to a higher plane of existence for the ages of the future." For this the valiant men of the Dominions fought and endu*ed, so that we should enter into this bright inheritance. There is no question as to the.views of the Dominions being represented at the Conference. In referring to this matter in las Guildhall speech, the British Premier asserted that the Dominions' share in the victory stood conspicuous "and they must have a voice, which is equal to their sacrifice, in the determination of the terms of peace." That pledge is being fulfilled. Much has been heard about the representation of Labor at the Conference, and it is certain that the .interests of Labor, must, have an important bearing on the future peace of the world, but there must be a new spirit in Labor's ranks ere it will be possible to harmonise with the new era. King George alluded to this subject very tactfully when he said: "May not the losses of war be repaired by a better organising of industry, and by avoiding waste which industrial disputes involve? Cannot a spirit of reciprocal trust and co-ordination of effort be diffused among all classes?" The cause of Labor is not of itself entitled to occupy the peace delegates. Their work is laying the solid foundations of peace, and they may be trusted to carry out their task so that by eliminating Avar such a great stimulus will be given to industries that all classes of the community will share in the blessings of peace.