11 JANUARY 1930, Page 2

General Smuts's message is that, equality of status being granted,

there is still the practical task of devising a proper system of unity and co-operation. Popular opinion in Canada, and throughOOt the Dominions, will acclaim 'his emphatic statement that the Crown remains the focus of unity and loyalty. The details of co-operation can be thrashed out at the next Imperial Conference, and this means in effect making special diplomatic repre- sentation, where there are special interests, compatible with diplomatic unity in matters of common interest. We agree with the Manchester Guardian that the dis- covery of the idea of Dominion status was " the happiest 'political invention of the nineteenth century." It has "made possible an Empire of a new kind, bound together by conference and confidence.