IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 168, 16 July 1921, Page 7

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

■ I PROGRESS OF DISCUSSION. I VIEWPOINTS OF DOMINIONS. MR. MASSEY'S ATTITUDE. (By Cable.-Press Associations-Copyright.) (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON. July IS. l"p to the present the Imperial Conference has held 24 meetings. The opening speeches by the Prime. Ministers disclosed the viewpoint of each Dominion on the various matters to be j discussed. Then came statements byj Mr. Churchill regarding the Crown colo- ■ nies and dependencies, and Lord Curzon on the present state of foreign affairs. This cleared the way, and the Conference then dealt with the following subjects: — The constitutional relationship between the component parts of the Empire. The European situation, as apart from foreign affairs generally. The Anglo-Japanese agreement. The mandates, particularly respecting Mesopotamia and Palestine. The League of Nations. Naval, military and air defence. Herman reparations. Anglo-Egyptian policy. Empire cornrminications by sea, land, an<] air. Development of civil aviation. Telegraphic communications throughout the Empire. The Imperial Shipping Committee's report. Imperial migration. Discussions on these matters have not reached finality. In respect of some of ihem, committees comprising the overseas Prime Ministers, with the English! .Ministers \vho are more particularly j concerned, are sittin separately to examine the questions in detail with the object of making recommendations to the Conference. For instance, the question of German reparation is being dealt with by a separate conference at the Treasury,' the I ('hanecllor of the Exchequer presdng, ' whilst questions such as sea, land air, and telegraphc communications, the better I dissemination of Empire news, migration, I and the Xew Hebrides were discussed ! under the presidency of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Decision on the Japanese Alliance is temporarily in abeyance pending proposals emanating from the American Government regarding the Washington conference and the conversations .proceeding between the Great Powers. Mr. Massey has attended every meeting of the conference. His attitude has been to approach all questions from the point of view of Empire unity, with full consideration for New Zeala»d"s. interests. He has expressed himself pleased with the progress made, the frankness and candour of the discussions, ifcd the ' willingness on the part of the British I Government to place all its cards on the | table, and give the overseas Prime Ministers the on every • subject. Official reports have been . issued on defence, but rigid secrecy -has j been preserved. Mr. Massey is strongly , in favour of President Harding's conference, but apart from that insists that i Xew Zealand and Australia have full. opportunity for discussion of the Pacific nuestion.—(Special to Press Association.) MIGRANT INDIANS. COMPLAINT OF DISABILITIES. LONDON, July 15. Mr. Sastri will %c afforded an oppor- j tunity to-morrow to deal with Indian questions at the conference of Prime Ministers. Matters affecting the White Australia policy have not been raised, or oven hinted at. Complaints regard-1 ing the disabilities of Indians residents in the Dol 'jions will be threshed out.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) MR. MEIGHEN'S DEPARTURE. LONDON, July 15. Mr A. Mcighen (Prime Minister of ; Canada, has definitely decided to leave I London on July 21.—(A. and N.Z.)