INTER-IMPERIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1926, Page 11

INTER-IMPERIAL RELATIONSHIPS

REPORT AN UNPARALLELED DOCUMENT RECEPTION THROUGHOUT THE DOMINIONS EPOCH-MAKING EVENT IN THE EMPIRE’S HISTORY The report of the Imperial Conference on Empire relationships is hailed throughout the Empire, and, indeed, all over the world, as an important and historic document and a memorable stepping-stone in the progress of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The definition of the powers of Governors, the clearing up of the relationship of the Dominions with the'-Mother Country’ in regard to treaties and the general understanding arrived at by free and unfettered discussions across the conference table are all regarded as a timely re-invigoration of the co-operative spirit amongst a family of growing Dominions.

London, Nov. 22. | A political correspondent, commenting on the Imperial Conference’s interImperial relations report, says: “It is one of the most historic documents ever evolved by makers of the Empire's history. People as yet are unable to grasp the real purport of the report. One fact emerging is that the King is now the sole physical bond between Britain and the Dominions. “The newspapers confine their leaders and criticisms to the barest • generalities. England has, until "now, remained practically in the dark concerning the entire problem. It can be said without exaggeration that not a single paragraph appeared in the. British Press I in any way suggesting the extraordinary significance of the report. Onlyon Friday were the Press informed that they’ could expect a document of the most far-reaching importance next day. This was the first semi-official reference to the inter-Ifnperial relations discussions, which were conducted in absolute secrecy. The Press of the Dominions alone was able to give a forecast of what was being evolved behind the closed doors. “The question arises: What will the Dominions decide about Britain's representation in the Dominions, now that the Governor-General no longer represents the Government ? It is understood that the matter of allotting direct representatives of Britain in the Dominions will shortly be discussed.” The Daily’ Mail, in a leader, says: “The report clearly lays down the complete equality of the Dominions with Britain. It should therefore satisfy nil their aspirations. It does not alter the essential conditions. For years the , Dominions in practice have been independent of Britain and equal in status to her. The alteration of the King’s title changes nothing of importance. The Empire is bound together not by logic, force or arbitrary’ compacts, but by allegiance to the Crown, by common interest and common ties, which freedom and the enjoyment of constitutional government impose. For a, generation and more it has been a commonplace that the union of the Empire is a personal one through the sovereign. It gives the Crown extraordinary importance and influence, which is bound to grow in years to come.” The Daily News, in a leader, declares: “This able and far-reaching report is the adequate and significant expression of a progressive civilisation keenly alive to its duties and its place in the international scheme of things, and thoroughly aware of its own destiny. The Dominions’ equal status is fixed bey’ond doubt in language apparently satisfying to General Hertzog’s mystical theories and the national sensibilities of the new Ireland, yet the general effect envisages closer unity and greater inherent strength.” ■ London, Nov. 22. General Hertzog, interviewed, said: “I feel that I have every right to say that the Conference achievements will satisfy Dutch and English-speaking South Africans. Personally I feel that I have obtained my objective in such a manner as removes all doubts and suspicions concerning our rational status. Further, I feel that nothing was ever accomplished so calculated to lay- deep and enduring foundations of international co-operation and genuine good feeling between the members of the British Commonwealth. I have the highest appreciation of the cordial and sympathetic manner in wjiieh British statesmen not only realised the import-j ance of the issues, but also co-operated I with the Dominions in clarification of I the position and removal of the difficulties. What, perhaps, is most remarkable is unanimity among all the ■ Dominions and Great Britain with! which a difficult and arduous task was accomplished.” GENERAL SMUTS INTERVIEWED. PLEASED WITH RESULTS. Capetown, Nov. 22. Interviewed by the Cape Times, General Smuts said he cordially welcomed the Imperial Conference report on the Dominion status. “It leaves the position substantially as generally understood since the Peace Conference, and as repeatedly stated by’ the spokesmen of the Imperial Conference end by me and other Dominion representatives. A number of small adjustments are proposed which clear up minor points, but do not touch the great principles. These refer to the King’s title, the position of the Governor-General, the of Consuls, the exercise of the King’s veto on the operation of Dominion laws and, outside tliese territories, appeals to the Privy Council. “The equality of the Dominions is affirmed in broad terms, but the diplomatic unity’ of Empire is unaffected. The lead in foreign affairs continues to be taken by’ the British Government. The principle of consultation, where other parts of the Empire are affected, is fully maintained. Treaty-making power is left practically as settled at the 1913 Conference.” General Smuts added: “I am pleased with What has been done as well as I am pleased with what lias wisely , been

let. alone. I am still more pleased that General Hertzog is at last satisfied, and that he thinks the whole people of South Africa is satisfied.” RECEPTION IN IRELAND. REASON FOR GRATIFICATION. Dublin, Nov-.-, 22. The Times’ correspondent says there is every likelihood that the Irish people will be satisfied with the work of the Conference,. which will strengthen the position of the Government of the Free State, to which the Conference conceded changes effecting a welcome improvement in the relations between London and Dublin. The establishment of Do- ! minion autonomy will gratify popular j sentiment, while allegiance is established to a common,, King as the real lord of the Empire. The Free State delegates accepted the obligation not merely in letter, bat in spirit. Henceforward loyalty to the Crown will cease to be a party political question and the old Unionist classes should be fully’ reconciled to the new regime. The change of the King’s title gives special-pleasure, since it translates the old ideal of the Kingdom of Ireland into practice. The changed status of the Governor-General to the King’s direct representative will also be welcome. “The probable early result will be the appointment of a British High Commissioner at Dublin, followed by a Northern Irish representative at Dublin stiid Free State High Commissioner at Belfast.” CANADIAN PRESS OPINIONS. “A VERY ADROIT DOCUMENT.” Vancouver, Nov. 22. The Canadian newspapers" for the most part regard the result of the Imperial Conference as merely setting down definitely and conspicuously what has been a tacit understanding, the outgrowth of years, between the Mother Country and the Dominions. The Montreal Star refers to the report aS the Magna Charta for the Dominions, and remarks: “It is a very adroit document. It contains little that is important and new, yet it is so phrased that General Hertzog will be able to get up before his Africanders on the veldt and quote phrases which will seem to show that lie successfully’ championed their most determined demands.” MR. COATES’ VIEWS. “LESS WRITING THE BETTER.” London, Nov. 22. “My' attitude has been that the less, placed on paper about the Empire constitution the better.” declared Mr. Coates to an Evening News interviewer. “New Zealand has been satisfied to let matters develop naturally between herself and Britain. We have feared that natural development might be hindered, rather than helped, by' a written constitution. We realised, however, that what is sufficient for New Zealand might - not satisfy others and, accordingly’, I have been pleased to concur in the inter-imperial report.” The Standard says: “That the Dominions are autonomous communities has been long recognised in principle, but the real difficulty lies in its practical application, especially in foreign relations, and in this connection the inter-Imperial report states the problem rather than provides a solution. Britain’s foreign policy must be guided by* the Empire’s feeling, placing the least possible strain on a fabric cemented by sentiment rather than carpentered by formulas.” “NOT A NEW DEPARTURE.” VIEWS OF THE TIMES. London, Nov. 22. ■ The Times, in a leader, describes the inter-Iniperial report as “essentially a register of existing conditions rather than a programme of the future. The courageously ingenious and comprehensive document is probably unparalleled, but it is wrong to say' it is a new de parture, or a far-reaching constitutional experiment. There is hardly' a statement or definition not coinciding with familiar practice. “The preamble, for instance, includes a description of the Empire in language which is only saved by italics from being almost incidental. It may have its uses for quotation by sus pieious nationalists, but that is all. Then comes .the trifling change in the Royal title, but the clause dealing with the position of ’ Governors-General is more important, because.it definitely raises the anomalous dual system by which the Governor-General is both the King's representative and the formal channel of communication with his Majesty’s Ministers in London. “What matters enormously is the development of the system of personal contact between London and the Dominion capitals. . .That is a practical i necessity, which is now brought into

prominence, but it always existed and is being met by various provisional expedients. Australia is leading by the appointment of a personal representative of the Prime Minister in England; the other Dominions may adopt the Australian practice and welcome in their own countries political representatives of the British Government. The report does not recommend uniformity, but emphasises the problem which clearthinking and practical experience alone can solve. "Clearly there is no disposition to abandon the judicial committee as the final appeal in appropriate cases. The principle that it is the right, of each Dominion Government to advise the Crown in all matters relating to its own affairs is the keynote of all the Conference’s recommendations, and so far as Britain is concerned, there is neither doubt nor discord in this connection. “The real difficulty has always been to interpret it to the outside world. Are we a single unit for the purposes of diplomacy or half a dozen units?” -