IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 270, 12 November 1923, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

THE FULLEST PUBLICITY. EMPIRE AND BtfROPE. ' ' l BRITAIN'S SISTER NATIONS. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) i (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 11. i Tlie Imperial Conference report says j on -he question of publicity that it was • agreed the fullest information possible ' should 'be transmitted to various overseas Governments as the conference : progressed. Statement* from time to time were given the delegate* by the Marquis Curzon on the main features of the international situation as they developed from day to day. Every question was carefully explored, and a common understanding reached upon the main heads of foreign policy. The conference cordially welcomed a renewal by the President of the United States of tlie offer to take part in an international inquiry into the European reparation problem, and decided to take immediate advantage of this overture. The conference was of opinion that the European situation could only be lifted j on to a plane of possible settlement by the co-operation of the United States, c and if a scheme of common inquiry, followed by common action, were to break ; down, the results would be inimical both ■ ' to peace and to the world's economic : recovery. In such an event it was felt : to be desirable that the British Government should consider very carefully the i alternative of summoning the conference itself in order lo examine the financial and economic problem in its widest i aspect. The conference regarded any i policy which would result in breaking up the unity of German States as inconsistent with treaty obligations entered into both by Germany and the Powers, and as incompatible with the future discharge by Germany of her necessary obligations. The strongest representations on this subject were accordingly . made to the Allies' Governments. The conference noted with satisfaction that I the Washington agreement had added immensely to the world's security without disturbing the intimate relations that so long existed between the Empire and Japan. The conference further registered its confident belief that future relations between the Governments and peoples of the Britsh Empire and Japan will be not less sincere and cordial than when both Governments were bound by written conventions. The conference dealt with the question of the 12-mile limit regarding American liquor regulations, and, while affirming and safeguarding ac the cardinal feature of the British policy the principle of the three-mile limit, it was yet bath desirable and practicable to meet the American request for the extension of the right of search. THE PEACE OF NATIONS. -After listening to an exposition ot the work of the League of Nations, members of the conference were in full accord that unabated support should be given by all British members to the League as a valuable instrument of international peace. , The conference examined certain general questions raised by America concerning the territories of—.South-West Africa and in the Southern Pacific— administered under C mandates, and the development of the condominium of the New Herbrides. In consultation with Messrs. Bruce and Massey, certain questions relating to the status of High Commissioners in Britain were discussed, particularly in regard to precedence and exemption from taxation and customs duties. BRITISH NATIONALITY. The British Government undertook to examine the points raised by Australia regarding the law of British nationality. These were referred to a committee. These questions referred to the naturalisation of persona resident in mandated territories. The committee decided to recommend that power to grant certificates of Imperial nationalisation be extended in order to cover persons resident in B and C mandated territories and also in protectorates. Also in regard to revocation of a naturalisation certificate being inquired into under the presidency of a high judicial authority, the committee fell in with the Australian suggestion that persons of lower judical standing might preside according to local needs, and circumstances. The Commonwealth also proposed an amendment to the Imperial Nationality Law as to the nationality of British born women married to aliens. Tfte Commonwealth Government had found that a wife's loss of British nationality gave rise to hardship in cases where the wife was separated from her husband or had been deserted by him. Discussion on the question did not disclose any opinion in favour of altering the existing law, but the committee nevertheless recommended that power should be taken to readmit women to , British nationality in cases where the married state (though subsisting in law) had practically come to an end. Another matter ' suggested by the : Commonwealth Government concerned : the law relating to validity of marriages , between British subjects and foreigners. The main difficulty appears to be that such marriage although validly contracted in British law may nevertheless be invalid in the law of a" foreign country. The committee having examined the action being taken by the Foreign Office and the Home Office to carry out "The Marriage With Foreigners Act of . 1908" could make no recommendation. The report concludes with a message to H.M. the King, in which the delegates express pride, "That amid the economic and political convulsions which [ have shaken the world the British Emi pins stands firm; that its widely scatj tered peoples remain one In their beb'ef _ in its ideals and their faith in its , destiny; that consciousness of devotion , of the peoples of your Empire may encourage and uphold Your Majesty in I the task of promoting the unity to s which you have devoted your strength and labour.'" s SIMPLIFICATION OF TREATY. The treaty-making resolution unanij mously adopted by the Imperial Conj ference lays down the undesirability of , individual countries of the Empire negotiating treaties without considering the possible effect on the other parts of the Empire. If the other Governments of the Empire are likely to be interested in .the treaty they should be informed before the negotiations are opened in ' order to enable them to express their views or to participate in the negotiations. In the event of more than one c Empire Government participating in the a negotiations the fullest exchange of views between tham fhpul4 fca main*

tamed throughout the negotiations. The countries of the Empire not participating in the negotiations should be kept fully posted as regards the points wherein they may be interested. Treaties not imposing obligations on the whole of the Empire should be signed by the governments concerned, while the ] text should be so worded as to make the scope clear. The existing practice in connection with signatures should be continued. Regarding treaties concluded at the international conferences attended by the British Empire delegation, in the matter of ratification, the resolution adheres to the existing practice of being defined in an explanatory statement. Thus the ratification of treaties imposing obligation on one part of the Empire is effected at the instance of the , Government of that part, while ratifica- j tion of treaties imposing obligations on more than one part is effected after con- < imitation between the governments of j those parts concerned.— (A. and N.Z.) <