IN THE EVENT OF WAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 287, 15 September 1933, Page 5

IN THE EVENT OF WAR

POSITION OF THE EMPIRE.

QUESTION OF NAVAL DEFENCE. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. (United Press Association— Copyright). (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) MONTREAL, September 14. Discussion on the probabilities of another war took place at the British Commonwealth Relations Conference at Toronto to-day. The general topic was what would happen to i-he British Commonwealth in the event of a breakdown) or failure of the League of Nations and the present international cooperative system of maintaining peace. Some members doubted whether the British Commonwealth could continue to exist. Others were convinced that it could exist by making itself strong and defending its resources. • ■One of the most pessimistic speakers at the meeting, which was held in camera, contended that the world was not showing a tendency to divide up its naval spheres. Australia and New Zealand were clearly outside the British naval sphere and in the event of war could not receive adequate protection, unless European conditions were so peaceful that the entire navy could be released for service in the Pacific. But this possibility was not likely/as, Japan, for, ins Lance, would have' better sense than to launch a conflict in the Pacific unless there was enough trouble in Europe to. keep a good part of the navy busy there. The,Canadian delegate'asserted that it was clearly inV the interests of the Empire to make a success of the League of Nations and co-operative methods of settling international disputes Another Canadian asserted that Canada reaped more benefit from the navy than many other nations and should pay a special premium for its support.