The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-10

ISSUES VI lHe EtesiueHena SoAhP@4e"
next year.
Premier Lloyd George is showing
equal II not even greater resourceful-
ness. Realizing the extent to which
he would be handicapped in attempt
ing to deal with the labor problems
confronting him under present condi-
tions-that Is to say. without any Par
liamentary majority upon the loyalty
of which he can absolutely rely-he
has resolved upon the gathering In
London before the end OF the year of q
constituent convention for the purpose
OF federalizing the entire British En-
pirs on lines similar to those existing
In the United States and in Canada, a
sort Of blend Of the two methods.
The object Of the constituent con.
gress. in which all the self-governing
colonies are to be represented. is to
bring about the creation of a federal
one-chamber Imperial Parliament In
London Of about 100 members, and In
which not only the oversee dependen,
cies OF the British Crown but also
Scotland. England. Wales, Ulster and
Nationalist Ireland would each be rep
resented as federal self governing
States of the Union. Depending from
this imperial and federal one-chamber
Parliament there would be a Federal
Imperial Cabinet. which would have
control Of all matters- Of imperial pol
icy, as regards the foreign relations
Of the empire. would deal with the In
thermal dissensions among its various
component autonomous States. and
which would, above all, come to an
understanding about an imperial eco
Ionic policy.
Powers of Proposed Assembly.
In this Federal Parliament would be
vested the right OF concluding all trea-
ties with foreign Powers, the sole
power of determining questions of
peace or war, the control OF all the
military and naval forces OF the en-
pire, and the imposition Of imperial
taxes. by means OF which the cost OF
the naval and military defences of the
empire wouldd be more equitably dis
tributed. Until now Great Britain has
been compelled to bear the brunt of
| these expenditures.
| The judicial Committee Of the Privy
Council, which already fulfils the
duties of a tribunal OF supreme and
| final appeal from all over "a depen-
| denotes to the sovereign, WHO is tech
nically the Fountain of Justice, will be
! reconstructed into a Supreme Court of
the Empire, with a Chief Justice. Is
sues in the Imperial Parliament will
| be determined by a majority vote, the
| Crown, Of course, retaining as hereto
fore, the prerogative OF Withholding its
signature, which Is equivalent to the
power OF veto OF President Wilson,
Lloyd George believes that by means
| or this startling scheme, first dreamed
OF but never realized by that father OF
British imperialism. the late Fighting
joe Chamberlain, that he will be able
to fulfil the legitimate aspiration OF
the great oversee dependencies, for a
larger share in the determination OF
the policies and destinies Of the en-
pire, The Federal Parliament will
satisfy the rapidly developing Ma
tionalist ambitions of Scotland, and OF
Wales. and above all. the Federal Par.
lament offers the only sane and &C.
ceptable solution OF that nightmare OF
British and American politics, the Irish
question. Moreover, II would avoid the
| OpSNtuSbiOH OF WHAT may Df
described as imperial business, through
the time OF both existing houses OF
Parliament being wasted In the dis.
cussion Of petty issues. Of a purei,
English, or might even say, parochia
character.
An Imperial Parliament thus consti.
tuted would prove a buIwark of de
fence, not only OF the DATED King,
doms. but OF the entire Confederatior
Of the British Empire, against tn,
revolutionary terrorism OF class labor
such as that which Is now seeking I,
buildoze the Lloyd George adminIstra
ton In London. It would deal with tn,
question of federalizins public service,
and basic industries the consideration
OF which could be postponed unit
then. The project Of the Premier fol
imperial federation eleverly embodie,
certain planks Of the class labor plat
form, such as for instance the demant
J for loISi autonomy and home rule. Tn,
labor platform also insists upon Tn,
participation of the various compo
nent parts OF the empire In the gov
eminent Of the latter.
On the other hand labor may b.
} relied upon to night against imperia
naval or military enforced service 10