Evening star., 1926-10-24
The Story the Week Has Told

/ should be Of peculiar importance. Here
! is his latest utterance on the subject
"It wouldn't be wise to be too ready
to encourage new methods of pro-
cedure or structural changes in our
relations. The empire, as it evolves
will find what it needs without me-
chanical assistance, and certainly
without revolutionary schemes"
The conservative London Morning
Post agrees with Mr.. King and urges
the conferees to devote their chief at
tention to economic problems rather
than to "those more abstract ques-
tions Of intraimperial constitutional
relations, which, however interesting
in themselves, can be rightly solved
only by the gradual process of evolu-
tion.'
l cannot but think that the British
government would prefer that the
constitutional issues be sidestepped
again; that the empire ''muddle along
a further bit; that government to con-
tinue to observe a most cautious
policy as to foreign commitments,
cherishing the hope that whether or
formally obligated they would rally to
the mother country in her future
need.
1t should, however, be borne In
mind that the functions Of the i'm
perial conference are purely consulta-
tive and advisory. 1t is not to be
assumed that should a majority (by
states) declare in favor Of Gen.
Hertzog's views effect would be given
to those views; whence the breakup
of the empire or, at any rate, cessions
therefrom. It has yet to appear that
there is majority sentiment for the
IL In nf
dominions, even in the Free State.
And why not speak plainly? For
reasons Chiefly concerning British Sc
curity) known to every one Great
Britain would not allow the Free
State to secede from the empire, and
it is extremely unlikely for several
reasons the consideration Of the route
to India being the chief that South
Africa would be allowed to secede.
Canada, Of course, may go when she
chooses, butt that hour is not yet.
The conference is scheduled to sit
for six weeks and it will be pleasant
and profitable to follow its proceedings
SO far as they are disclosed. Appar-
emily, the chief matters before it, in
addition to the constitutional issue,
are: Imperial communications and
transport by sea and air, imperial de-
fense, imperial preference. the Lo-
carno pacts (shall the dominions add
their guarantee). emigration from
Great Britain to the dominions in
such volume as substantially to relieve
the condition of super Of
population in the mother country and.
by the same token, to accelerate the
development of the dominions, and, in
!. the case of the Australasian domin-
ions, to enhance their security; Brit
ish versus American films and the
old racial problems (Hindus and ne
groids).
The status of the governor general
and the question whether the right
of appeal from dominion courts to
the judicial committee of the priviy
council shall be maintained. are mat
ters likely to be considered in con-
nection with, or independently of. the
grand constitutional issue above con-
sidered.
\ X X X
NOrWay.-In a national referendum
the Norwegians have voted SIG, 900 to
407 900. for abolition of prohibition
and substitution therefor of local op-
ton. Prohibition of liquors Of alcoholic
content greater than IL Der cent was