AN IMPERIAL WAR CABINET SIR,—Whilst agreeing wholeheartedly with many of
the views ex- pressed in the article "Facing Winter " in The Spectator of Octo- ber a th, the references to an Imperial War Cabinet are, to say the least, open to discussion. Many writers in this country are prone to make comparisons with the last war, but fail to take into con- sideration the vast changes which have occurred in the interim. In this particular case the Statute of Westminster has been entirely over- looked. The Dominions are now independent nations, and in pro- portion their war efforts are equally as great as this country's. Despite this they have no direct voice in the momentous War Cabinet discussions which must necessarily take place. Further the present machinery is such, that, when quick decisions are essential, the Dominion Cabinets cannot be fully informed until after the event, the outcome of which may be of vital importance Is it not an assumption to say that it would be almost impossible for a leading Minister to spend any considerable time in London? Surely this is a question for the Dominions to decide. For example, one of Australia's ablest Ministers spends all his time in Washington. Why not look at the position through the eyes o: the Dominions? They see a War Cabinet in London with one outstanding figure with almost overwhelming responsibilities, one or two good energetic men, and the rest—political make-weights--the latter with not even the confidence of a large majority of the public of this country.
The past we can only leave to History, but the future is all im- portant, and in that future the Dominions will play an increasingly vital role. If we are a true British Commonwealth of Nations, let the Dominions have a direct voice in that future. Create a Common- wealth War Council of Ministers who can devote their whole time and energies to winning the war, and from this Council form a small inner War Council, of the most outstanding men. This would not be extending a privilege to the Dominions—it would be their just rights. Transfuse some fresh and virile blood into the fusty and stuffy body of Westminster.—Yours faithfully,
A NEW ZEALANDER.
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