IMPERIAL FEDERATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1921, Page 3

IMPERIAL FEDERATION.

ASSURANCES TO DOMINIONS. NOT ON JUNE AGENDA. London, March 25. The Time?, in a leading article dealing with the forthcoming conference of Prime Ministers of the Empire, scouts the idea largely prevalent in the Dominions that it is intended to involve the Dominions in some form of Imperial Federation, with a set constitution for the whole Empire. ‘‘There is no idea of that kind in the minds of the Prime Minister or his colleagues,” says the Times. “The conference is the result of the necessity for consulting ,the Dominions on matters affecting the Empire. The chief of these will be sea defence and the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. “The Dominions are now recognised as part her-States of Britain, and should realise that this equality of nationhood brings the ogligation to share in discussions on matters of paramount Imperial importance. There is no design to involve the Dominions in any tightening of the Imperial ties.”

The Pall Mall Gazette gives prominence to an article declaring that it is unlikely that the Dominion Prime Ministers will commit themselves at the June Conference regarding Mr. Massey’s idea of immediately constituting an Empire executive control of a foreign policy? There is no doubt the plan will be given a proper hearing at the constitutional conference in 1922, but a discussion in June, when more pressing matters are under review. would have to be hurried and indefinite. and would probably cause irritation in some Dominions. Australia’s insistence that Parliament should be taken into his full confidence before the Prime Minister goes to England is a fair indication that the jealous. eyes are watching lest an unnecessarily close interlocking with British interests should be brought about.