THE BRITISH EMPIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20730, 14 February 1939, Page 7

THE BRITISH EMPIRE

CREATION OF AN ABSEMBLY LABOUR LEADER’S PROPOSALS VALUE OF COLLECTIVE EFFORT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright ' LONDON, Feb. 13 Creation of an assembly representing the British Commonwealth's sovereign States, and including delegates from the principal parties in each State throughout the Empire, is advocated in an article in the Spectator by Mr Ernest Bovin, the British Labour leader, who attended the recent Empire Relations Conference in Sydney. Mr Bevin says that the assembly would consider defence, labour economics, appeasement and the maintenance of democratic institutions. It j would be the nucleus of an establishment. of world order, because other countries could be invited to come within the trading orbit. Tt would revive the League idea of collective effort. Responsibility at every step should be taken to prevent the Empire's sovereign States from drifting to disruption. Secret Imperial Conferences are outdated Mr Bevin says, and savour too much of the old style of Imperialism. “I doubt whether the Dominions realise the enormous responsibility which rests with Britain of defending all terriitories in the Empire, irrespective of causes of conflict. The creation of such an assembly would make defence of Empire interest and concern,” he adds.