CHAP. HI] THE CONFERENCE OF 1911 1495
had before raised of the actual relationship of the Colonies
as an integral part of the Empire; for example, could a
Dominion or a Colony be surrendered in the same way as
France had to give up Alsace-Lorraine as a result of the
Franco-German War ? There should be some sort of consti-
tutional system which should prevent such a diplomatic
catastrophe. Sir Joseph Ward considered that it was quite
impossible to discuss matters usefully before the Conference.
It was the duty of any representative of New Zealand to
remember that the Parliament of New Zealand must ratify
whatever was agreed upon by the Conference. That was
sufficient safeguard. and it would be quite impossible to
discuss within reasonable limits all the resolutions which
would be raised.
On November 23 a further brief discussion took place.
Mr, Taylor, a member of the Opposition, raised the question
as to the position of the Dominions in respect of Imperial
Conferences. It was proposed, he gathered, to convert the
position of High Commissioner for each of the self-governing
Dominions into a political office, and if this were done there
would be a direct diminution in the power of the Parliament
of New Zealand. He looked with great jealousy upon the
possibility of the curtailment by the Imperial Conference of
the powers of the New Zealand Parliament. In reply, Sir
Joseph Ward said that the Government could not be respon-
sible for suggestions made by the press, and if any resolution
of the nature indicated were to be passed by the Imperial
Conference they would place themselves in the position of
being politely told to mind their own business. The Govern-
ment were responsible to the people of their own country
for what they believed would be in their interests. If
B representative of New Zealand at the Imperial Confer-
ence attempted to pass a resolution interfering with the
internal politics of Great Britain, the answer would be
that it was entirely outside their domain, and that New
Zealand should leave the home authorities to manage their
own internal affairs, and the reverse principle applied.
1 Debates, cliii. 913 seq.
