Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-09-20
decision the Only alternative might

decision the only alternative might
have been to get out.
The new arrangement. obviously
does, not profess to be. q solution of
every imperial. difficulty and danger
that can arise, but It does provide for
closer cooperation and for permitting
the Dominions to have some oppor-
tunity in shaping policy on vital is
sues before, and not after that policy
has been determined.
By the second Of the changes Can
ada shakes OF the last vestige Of her
swaddling clothes and becomes a full
hedged State, occupying a position Of
parity with that Of the Mother Coun-
try. For fifty years-that is, ever
since confederation-the colonial re-
lation has not borne very heavily on
Canada. AS every schoolboy knows,
because he has been taught, 1t, Can
ada has complete self government,
and no act Of the Canadian Parlia:
King or his representatives or by the
British Parliament.
In Theory Still . Colony.
And yet in theory the Colonial rela-
ton has " ceased to exist. The
Canadian Parliament a nominally
subservient to the British Parliament
Every act it passed had to be signed
by the Governor General, who is ap-
pointed by the King on the recon.
mendation of his British Cabinet. II
the Canadian Prime Minister wanted
to communicate with the British
Prime Minister, he could not do so as
man to man. He had to say what he
wanted to say to the Governor Gen.
eral Of Canada. who in turn would
transmit the message to the British
Secretary Of State for the Colonies
who in turn would transmit 1t to hi.
chief, the British Prime Minister
Thus Canada, as far as imperial and
foreign relations are concerned, was
In nominal tutelage to q department
Of the British Government. In theory
there was no real equality between
the Canadian Parliament and the
British Parliament. While in prac'
tice the relations were on the whole
times productive Of some annoyances
Much depended on the personnel o.
the officials Of the Colonial Office IL
London. II they understood tina
while nominally Canada vas theil
BUSINESS, in actuality 1t vas non Of
their business, all went we'll.
Between Premier and Premier.
This circuitous' of com.
rnunication, this subservience to Thu
COAOHAdl O11C0, mas now disappeared
Sir Robert Borden can now talk t.
Mr.. Lloyd George without the assist
ance of any intermediary. It is {
concession to sentiment in the Do
minions. that has doubtless resulted
from their efforts in the war. Thu
change has been brought about with
out parliaments or celebrates being
consulted%because it was obviously tn,
proper thing to do, and no one will
dream Of objecting to 1t.
1t is now being pointed out that tn.
change has another important effec
that may not have been oreseen b.
any one This is that the Office o.
Governor General Of Canada seems t.
have suddenly become obsolete. If
as is announced, the British and tn,
Canadian Parliaments are on terms O.
equality, it is ridiculous for West
minister to. keep on sending a Gov
ernor Generalsto Ottawa. II there Il
to be mo more despatch boxes through
Rideaus Hall there will be little To-
the Governor General to do but tt
sign Acts Of Parliament, and a rubber
stamp. could be used for that.
And thus the long succession o
distinguished Governors, including
Devonshire, Connaught, Mimic, Aber
deem. Lansdowne, promises to come
to an end.