The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1921. THE COUNCIL OF THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1921. THE COUNCIL OF THE EMPIRE.

The address delivered by Mr. Lloyd George (British Premier) at the opening of what he designated as “this great Council of the Empire,” strikingly illustrated the greatness of his statesmanship, his wonderful grasp of the many important problems awaiting solution, and his unbounded faith in the efficacy of the links which bind the Empire together. The total absence of ornate figures of speech or straining after effect enhances the address, which was a plain, common-sense review of Empire and world conditions, and was chiefly designed to impress the Conference with the part the Empire can play in securing the rehabilitation of the nations and the permanent peace of the world. Throughout the whole of this model address there was no word of advice or caution, merely statements of fact with observations as to what those facts implied in relation to the Empire and the world. Possibly the keynote of his message may be found in the peroration, when he said: “Our duty here is to present the ideals of this great association of peoples in willing loyalty to one Sovereign, to take counsel together regarding the progress and welfare of all, and to keep our strength, both moral and material, a united power for justice, liberty and peace.”

The conference is meeting at a time of great stress and trouble throughout the world consequent on the nations suffering from overstrain and exhaustion as the result of the war. “Never,” said Mr. Lloyd George, “did statesmanship demand more patience and wisdom.” It is to be hoped that not only will these qualities be strongly in evidence throughout the conference, but that each of the members will display the greatest consideration for the others, be animated by the spirit of unity and concord, and not obsessed with the importance of the particular Dominion he represents, but bear in mind the words of the British Premier When he said: “The British Empire is the saving fact in a distracted world; it is the most hopeful experiment in human organisation that the world has yet seen. The Empire is based, not on force, but on goodwill and a common understanding, liberty being its binding principle.” No tribute could have been more generous than that paid by the British Premier to India and the Dominions for their help in the war, whereby the “unity of the Empire saved France and Britain, as well as civilisation,” from the catastrophe of a German victory. The passing mention made of disarmament and the plan for liquidating Germany’s liabilities for reparations, also to the outstanding problems and difficulties concerning Poland and Turkey, sufficiently emphasised the point that the first essential to peace and reconstruction was the loyal observance of the treaties entered into, on the ground that the Empire is bound alike by honor and interest to the treaties which it signed, and that, although relaxations here and there may be made with the consent of all, yet, in the main, the treaties must stand. It was only natural that reference should be made to affairs in the Pacific—-a delicate subject that was handled with exemplary tact and skill. While doing justice to Japan’s help and well-tried friendship—which it is desirable to preserve— Mr. Lloyd George was careful to point out the need for the sympathetic treatment of and fair play to China, and the bridging of the divisions among the King’s Asiatic peoples. It would, he said, be fatal to the Empire to range itself in any sense upon differences of race and civilisation between the East and the West. This was the nearest approach to a warning that the address contained. That it was necessary cannot be denied, for the question is one on which very decided views are held by some of the Dominions, and it was advisable they should be invited to consider it from the larger Imperial view. On the question of limitation of armaments, the British Premier took up the stand that it was desirable to avoid the growth of armaments and that Britain was ready to discuss any proposal for limitation, but inasmuch as the life of the whole Empire had been built up by sea power, and that power was necessary for Hsi’existence, it cannot rest consent -n’less it has the (jecuritj; which that Rower gives.

If this means anything, it certainly implies that Britain must still hold the position of a dominant naval Power. Mr. Lloyd George struck a high note of statesmanship, and took a broad view of the problems that face the conference, the members of which will do well to follow such an excellent lead and make the deliberations in every way worthy of the full national status to which the Dominions have attained and their loftier dignity as partners in the Empire.