The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1921. EMPIRE PARTNERSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1921. EMPIRE PARTNERSHIP.

When referring on Monday to the cablegram received by the Governor from Mr. Lloyd George, stating that ,the matters to bedealt with at the coming Imperial Conference were of such urgent importance /that New Zealand should be represented by its Prime Minister, Mr. Massey said that in his time nothing so strong in the way of an invitation to attend a conference had ever come from the Imperial Government to the Government of tlje Dominion. It may, however, be taken for granted that Mr. Massey was no more surprised a't the receipt of this urgent summons than those who closely watch Empire affairs. Although, possibly for State reasons, the full contents of the cablegram have not been made known, it ean readily be conjectured that there are.several subjects of unusual import to the Dominions awaiting discussion with the object of evolving a definite policy thereon. On the eve of his retirement from the Colonial Office, Lord Milner stressed the point that the only basis on which the Empire ean survive is partnership, and the whole problem was how to make the partnership work so as to ensure the greatest mutual assistance being given to one another by the six independent Governments at different ends of the earth, and to devise means whereby the interests held in eomiaeu can be most effectively.

upheld. Lord Milner is quite right in holding that if Empire partnership is to be organised bn a sound and durable basis, the impulse must come from the Dominions, which must think out their own future and thereby realise that the objects dearest to each are unattainable without the help of the rest. In other words that the true spirit of co-operation must solve the complex problem: Obviously such a partnership must necessarily involve participa tion in framing and carrying out all matters of policy affecting, directly ahd indirectly, the Dominions as a whole, and generally translated as Imperial policy in all its numerous ramifications Take, for instance, the question of the Navy, which is a matter of vital importance to the whole Empire, especially at . the present time when controversy runs high relative to the necessity or other wise of maintaining huge navies, and the class of warships to be used. In all probability this problem is one of the most urgent matters on which the views of the Dominions will be sought at the Premiers’ Conference. A Press cable from London on January 29 stated:— \ “It is known that a large body at the Admiralty evidently favor continuing to build big ships, though the financial difficulties are very great. It is now understood that Cabinet will not come to a final decision in the matter until it lias consulted, the Do-

minions at the Premiere’ Conference.” A very grave responsibility will rest upon the members of the Conference on this matter, and it would be well that in each of the Dominions the subject should he thoroughly discussed, so that the Premiers may have some idea of public opinion thereon. In a recent pronouncement, Admiral Patey states that the most pressing need in Australia and New Zealand is dockyards, so that whether Britain or Australasia provides the ships, facilities must be made available. The Admiral, therefore, considers that Australia and New Zealand should concentrate on dockyards, aircraft and submarine bases, while Britain supplies the largest ships. Even this limited programme would be costly, but it has the merit of com-mon-sense and simplicity, and could be carried out by degrees thus lessening the present strain on the restricted finances of the Dominions. This financial question .may also be expected to be discussed by the Conference, particularly as regards funding the war debts, normalising the standard currency, and arriving at an agreement over fiscal matters with a view to promoting trade within the Empire. Possibly the question of the Anglo-Japanese alliance and outstanding questions concerning the mandates may be among the important matters to be discussed, as well as that of emigration, while the Dominions’ share of the German reparations indemnity may also be dealt with. These are only a few of the problems that will engage the attention of the Conference, at which mornen-’ tons decisions may be made. Under the circumstances, if Empire partnership is to be a reality, it is necessary for New Zealand’s Premier to attend this important meeting, which bids fair to exercise a considerable influence on Imperial policy, and may be a potent factor in solving some of the urgent problems of the time in. a way that may lead to highly satisfactory results.