PACIFIC DEFENCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 128, 13 March 1939, Page 6

PACIFIC DEFENCE

THE PENDING CONFERENCE. THE OVERSEAS DELEGATES. ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SAVTvGE. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, March 12. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) announced to-day that as a result of a suggestion put forward about, .the middle of , last year by His Majesty’s government in New Zealand, which has since been under discussion by the ’ Governments concerned, arrangements have now been completed for a meeting in New Zealand in the near future of a conference between' representatives of the Governments of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth of Australia, and New Zealand to consider Pacific questions of common concern, with special reference to defence. The United Kingdom representatives will be the High Commissioner in New Zealand for His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom (Sir Henry Batterbee) and the High Commissioner for the Westorn Pacific (Sir Harry Luke). The Australian representatives will be Vice-Admiral Sir ltagnar Colvin (First Naval Member of the Commonwealth Naval Board) and senior officers of the Australian army and air force. The names of the New Zealand representatives will be '• announced later. CONFIRMATION FROM AUSTRALIA. QUESTIONS OF POLICY NOT TO BE DECIDED. ! ' \ (United Press Association—Copyright.) CANBERRA, March 12. The Prime Minister of Australia (Mr J. A. Lyons) said to-day that as a result of a suggestion made last year by the New Zealand Government, arrangements wore now completed for a meeting in New Zealand in the near future (to discuss Pacific defence problems, as outlined by the Prime Minister of New Zealand (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) today). The Australian representatives, in addition to Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, will bo Colonel V. A. H: Sturdoo and Wing Commander G. Jones. The discussions of the experts, Mr Lyons added, 4 'Would not commit the Federal Government in any respect, as questions of policy, for either peace or war, were subjects for determination by the Governments concerned. Questions of policy would bo reserved for consideration between Ministers at Imperial Conferences. FARMERS APPROVE CONFERENCE. RESOLUTION AT BALCLUTHA. ' ’ DUNEDIN, March 12. At the Farmers’ Union meeting at Balclutha on Saturday, the following resolution , moved by the Hon. F. Waite, M.L.C. was carried: “Thatthe New Zealand Farmers’ Union approves of the defence conference between representatives of Great Britain Australia, and New Zealand and strongly urges that New Zealand should take her full share in Empire •defence by the provision of adequate sea, land, and air forces.”