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25 May, 1911.] Imperial Council. [2nd Day. Sir JOSEPH WARD : I call it creating Parliaments for the different nationalities in the Kingdom, and if you did that, I apprehend you must make a material alteration in the Imperial Parliament consequent on a change of that kind. lam not demanding the taking away of any of the powers of the present Imperial Parliament, although I think it should be merged in the new one for the Empire, or of any of the powers of the oversea Dominions' Parliaments. I am suggesting that in Naval Defence matters for the Empire as a whole, if the people in New Zealand (I will deal with New Zealand alone) are to take their responsibilities, which they are doing now to some extent, in connection with the general defence of the Empire, including the protection of New Zealand, they are entitled to some representation on some body that has got the power of saying when New Zealand should go into war, although we recognise that the British representatives would settle it every time, because they would be in the majority. We to-day, however, have no voice of any sort or kind, and I am suggesting that some body should be created upon which the people of New Zealand and all the other Dominions could be represented. It is possible that the proposals lam making may not fit in with the existing conditions; but I believe they ought to be capable of being put into shape with a view to help all portions of the Empire. lam suggesting an Imperial Parliament of Defence, as I call it, for the purpose of helping to make the defence of the Empire as a whole stronger than it is to-day. I want to make it absolutely invulnerable for all parts of the British Empire. What I am trying to do does presuppose that there is a completed system of local autonomy for the national divisions of the United Kingdom, and then all portions of the Empire would be in a similar position from the point of view of their local Governments as far as the local autonomy is concerned. That, this local autonomy fully established, a true Imperial Parliament, which at first could be limited to foreign policies, defence, and peace or war, should be set up, the local Governments to have the powers they have now. Mr. BEODEUR : Except with regard to Naval Defence. Sir JOSEPH WARD : Except with regard to Naval Defence, that is so. Mr. BRODEUR : As to Naval Defence, you do not want to recognise the local autonomy of the different parts of the Empire ? Sir JOSEPH WARD : No. In the matter of oversea Naval Defence my argument is that there is no portion of the British Possessions at the present time—certainly, as far as the United Kingdom is concerned, it applies lessto them than to any other portion of the British Possessions —which can deal with the matter of oversea defences effectively without the co-operation and good will of all parts of the Empire. What I want to see brought about is some system to enable that to be done. I call it an Imperial Parliament of Defence. Sir FREDERICK BORDEN : Naval Defence, I think you mean. Sir JOSEPH WARD : Naval Defence, as I have already stated. The PRESIDENT : It is not to deal with military matters, I think you told us before. Mr. FISHER : But it is to deal with treaties, I understand. Sir JOSEPH WARD : Certainly treaties, because they necessarily affect defence. Mr. FISHER : That is a very important item. Sir JOSEPH WARD : The question of treaties, as a matter of fact, has a very large bearing on the possibility of troubles affecting all portions of the Empire.