25 JUNE 1921, Page 3

Mr. Chamberlain, in reply, said that the British Empire was

a league of nations, meeting in conference on terms of equality, autonomous and-yet united. The initiative in proposing changes should come -from the Dominions. The Government would welcome their cooperation in regard -to Imperial Defence and to foreign policy. Ifs the Dominion representatives wished to discuss Irish affairs, he had no objection, but he feared that they might regard an invitation todiecuss our domestic problems as a first step on our part to meddling in. theirs. He spoke guardedly about the Japanese- Alliance.