EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

TRIBUTE TO DOMINIONS.

NAVAL DEFENCE POLICY.

TREATY WITH JAPAN. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.-— Copyright. Received August 19, 7.45 p.m. London, August 18. In the House of Commons Mr. Lloyd George made a statement regarding the Imperial Conference. Mr. Lloyd George stated that the last few years had witnessed remarkable development in the constitution and growth, of the Empire. The aid which the Dominions gave the Motherland astonished, not only the world, but the greatest Empire enthusiasts in this country. The whole course of human events had been altered, because the Empire proved a fact and not a fiction, as some thought. “The Dominions came to our help in 1914 in support of a policy in which they had no voice,” proceeded Mr. Lloyd George, “and the Motherland is now glad to have their opinions in fashioning the future policy.” The main factor in the way of securing the unity of the Empire by means of a conference was by the improvement of communications, which was now receiving earnest consideration.

Naval defence would be considered by the different Parliaments, from whom any proposals must come. The Conference agreed that the Empire must have a naval force equal to that of any other country. They unanimously recognised that the Japanese treaty had been faithfully and loyally observed by Japan during the war. Was it suggested that Britain should now turn round and say to Japan: ‘‘Thank you for the trouble you have taken, but we don’t want you any longer”? (Cries of “No.”)

Mr. Lloyd George: “The British Empire must behave like gentlemen.” He did not see why it was impossible to fulfil our obligations to Japan and at the same time observe a spirit of fraternity to the United States. If the latter and Japan could combine on problems in the Pacific that would be a great event, and would be a guarantee for the peace of the world in the surest way. Success in the Disarmament Conference would be reached through an understanding on Pacific questions. He had frankly discussed foreign policy. A member: “Ireland?” The Premier: “No, not Ireland; that is not the sort of question you can go into of your own free will.”

Mr. Lloyd George added: “We don’t want to interfere in the Dominions’ internal affairs, nor they in ours, but they want to feel they are part of this amazi’ng organisation which is the first of its kind the world has ever seeA.” Sir Donald McLean (Liberal) welcomed the decision not to reduce the constitution of the Commonwealth of Nations to a written basis, which would be destructive to its development on really great, lines. He hoped the Premier would be able to attend the Washington Conference.