IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1926, Page 15

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

MEW IMPERIAL CONCEPTION STATUS OF THE DOMINIONS. ARTICLE BY MR. S. M. BRUCE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received Dec. 3, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 3. “Future generations may look back upon 1926 as the year in which the Empire definitely emerged from a difficult stage of its growth and finally accepted a new conception of itself as a free partnership of genuinely equal nations which came to birth in the storm and stress of war.” Mr. S. M. Bruce with these words concludes an article in the “English Review” on the Imperial Conference and Dominion status. Mr. Bruce argues that a period of uncertainty after the war might have been foreseen. It was implicated in the nature of the Empire from the moment when the Dominions were accorded self-government. The distinction between self-government in domestic sphere and nursery government in the sphere of foreign politics was very well for a time, but could not last. It seems to me that the only real substantial question which the Conference had to settle was whether the will to unity throughout the Empire had, or had, not, been impaired by the events and experiences of the past twelve years. It may be said that the resolutions adopted merely clarified a position which existed all along, but there was no such general agreement about the political situation of the Empire as it existed to-day. Now that the work of clarification had been done, we had to establish clearly the fact of the Dominions full autonomy in respect of every issue raised, and to do it on the basis of leaving the essential unity of the British Commonwealth in everywise unimpaired. I think both these tasks were accomplished. The grfjat watchwords of liberty, equality and unity, have been freely and .unmistakeably accepted. Their application in detail has gone quite as far as the needs of our time demand, without leading to that kind of over-rigid definiteness which may itself easily prove a stumbling block. We have cleared -up the political situation of the Empire and know where we stand. As an Empire each part can rely upon everyone’s genuine belief in the Imperial union, each knows that this close union does not imply any derogation from sovereign status. We have now brought about a tightening of the bonds of common interest and sentiment in order that they may withstand the unforeseen shocks of time and circumstances. In this way they may endure for centuries.

SOUTH AFRICA SATISFIED. Capetown, Dec. 2. i . Mr. Roos, Minister of Justice, addressing his constituents, said:—“We are absolutely satisfied with the result of the Imperial Conference and will now be able to work for the economic - development of South Africa. On behalf of the National Party I can say there will be no alteration of the position as laid down; there will be no question of the secession of South Africa, no question of Republicanism, no constitutional question of any kind like those raised in the past. We freely accept what was given freely. The relations now existing between South Africa and the British Empire are permanent relations. “The new development, however, does not alter the flag question, but we must await the return of General Hertzog before it is decided what to do. We would not like to see bitterness caused over a matter of comparatively small importance. It is not a national but a party question.” Mr. Roos’ declaration is considered important as he was hitherto regarded as the leader of the secessionist wing of the Nationalist Party.