EMPIRE LINKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1919, Page 6

EMPIRE LINKS.

CHANGE IN THE CONSTITUTION.

DOMINIONS AS REAL PARTNERS.

(By Wire.—Own Correspondent)

An interesting feature* 1 of the debate regarding Samoa was rui;'"' by Mr. W. D. Stewart, who asked if *n\ Massey ami Mr, Hughes had understood the significance of their action when they signed the Peace Treaty. He believed that their action was going to be of the gravest importance in the future. New Zealand had assumed the duties hnd reaponsi abilities of a Sovereign Power, and the signing had been regarded by many people as a new link of Empire, but It might prove to be the first and roost Important step towards .eomplote independence. He would point out that no man could own allegiance to two Sovereign Powers. What was the position If the Dominions claimed an independent status? In dealing with tho issues of peace and war, sooner or later, foreign powers would ivant the position defined. The signing, from a legal aspeot, had been an act of separation, and not of union. Mr. Massey said the member had asked if the effect, of the signatures hud been understood. "The position was thoroughly understood," said Mr. Massey. ( 'W? signed, not as independent nations in the ordinary sense of the term, but as nations within the British Empire—as partners in the Empire. I mean partners with everything that the name implies. ,It has been suggested that the great 'change that lias taken place in the British constitution date from the signing of the peace treaty. My opinion is that the change thftt has taken place (and it is a most important change) (l&tes from the time when' the representative? of (lie Dominions were called into tho councils of the Empire. It d»tOS from the setting up of the ftrst Imperial Cabinet, wlten the Dominions were asked to send representatives to tsfee part in the discussion and deliberations arising out of the war. "There was very much more to be done," added Mr. Massey, "but the British constitution ' h£»d always proceeded from precedent fo precedent, and tho problems that remained would be wqrked out. Thpre \ya? an umjeratauding among the representative men of the British Empire that, when matters got back tp normal, a conference wpuld he called and an attempt made to draft a constitution that would be suitable to the changed circumstances of the Empire. New Zealand would be represented at that conference. "No Dominiqn the power tO' either make peace or declare war," said Mr. Massey. The Dominions joined with the Gpvernment of the United Kingdom in signing the peace treaty. If it becqmes necessary in the future for Britain to declare it Will declare war a,s an Empire, not qs England, or the United Kingdom, but a? the British Empire. In the making of peace and war the British Dominions, as partners of Empire, will have their full say. TJiera is no such thing as a tendency to break away on the pprt fif the British Dor 'minions. What has happened since the Imperial War Cal)jnpt ffasj set HP in 1017, when the Dominions' statesmen were ealled to assist the Empire at a difficult and critical time, has brought us closer together. We have been brought closer together tlmn ever before. The Empire is more united than ever before. We .have one Empire and one constitution, 'find I believe we will form an alliance tlip-t will last for all time."