§ 39. Major O'NEILLasked the Prime Minister whether it is now proposed to abandon the special Imperial Conference to consider the readjustment of the constitutional relationship of the component parts of the Empire which was recommended by the Imperial Conference of 1917 to be held as soon as possible after the War?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir; but it was felt that public opinion in the Empire had not yet had time to give adequate consideration to the problem to enable the Constitutional Conference to meet with any advantage next year. I hope it may be possible for such a conference to be held in 1922.
§ Major O'NEILLWas it not the very conditions created by the War and by the common sacrifices that was thought would be the most favourable opportunity for a conference of this kind, and as time goes on may not those conditions become more and more remote?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman knows perfectly well that it is not merely a question of what opinion may be in this country. It is essential that you should carry the opinion of the Dominions with you. and it is their desire that the Conference should be postponed.