WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 194, 17 August 1922, Page 4

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

1 SIR JOHN SAIMOND'S REPORT. i THE NAVAL TREATY. ITS PRIMARY IMPORTANCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Sir J. Salmond's report on the Wash- . ington Conference, prpsented to Parlia- ! ment tliis afternoon, is mostly devoted to setting out the decisions arrived at which ■ have already been fully reported. "With regard to the naval treaty, its primary .importance and significance. ,, he says, "is to be found in its financial aspect. lit relates to times of peace, and to exI penditure in preparation for time of war. It is not an agreement to preserve J peace, nor is it intended for that end. i The treaty in no way limits the weapons j with which States may fight to defend themselves; it merely limits the weapons which they may prepare for that purpose in times of peace. Still less may the trentv he properly regarded as a step towards total naval disarmament. Xo such impracticable idealism inspired i the Washington Conference. Xo legisla-i I tion is required in Xew Zealand to give j I efl'ect to the Washington treaties or! ! resolutions. The only legislative action j required is that of the Imperial Parliaj ment."' i Treaties have to he ratified by His Majesty, ami Sir John Salmond thinks all Xew Zealand need do is to formally ] express approval of such ratification. Sir John Salmond also remarks that the presence of representatives of the Dominions suggested in certain quarters that they have in some way acquired a new international status, but there was no foundation for it at Washington. The representatives were there to be consulted and heard on matters affecting them, but not in their own right as quite independent States. Earl Balfour answered for the British nation as a I whole. Further opportunity was given the Dominion delegates to exercise the right of evidence and consultation, and nil internal discussions of the British delegation proceeded with th<? utmost harmony and with ungrudging and courteous recognition of the right of the Dominions to participate. Xo question ever arose on which it was not possible to secure ultimate unanimity within the British delegation.