IN CAMERA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 22 October 1926, Page 7

IN CAMERA.

FOREIGN POLICY SPEECH.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE SITTING.

TfTMOST SECRECY MAINTAINED

CaD le.—Press Association.-^Copyright.)

LONDON, October 21.

Yesterday's proceedings at the Imprial Conference are veiled in impenetrable secrecy. It is understood that when the conference was confronted by tie complete candour of Sir Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Secretary, who reviewed foreign affaire of to-day it was resolved to treat the whole matter as strictly confidential. The expected evening interviews with journalists were cancelled

All the delegates have been pledged lot to divulge a syllable. The only communication that has been given is that Sir Austen Chamberlain made a statement on the general situation regarding foreign affairs, after which at the request of the conference Lord Lloyd, High Commissioner for Egypt, expounded the situation in that country. TEXT OF THE SPEECH.

It is understood that Sir Austen's speech was divided into two parts. The first is said to have comprised an outline of the happenings since 1923, when European politics were still in a maze of perplexities and mistrust more or less associated wit'u the Ruhr occupation.

From this point Sir Austen is said to have recited the attempts at conciliation which were made, mentioning that Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald and M. Herriot were in accord. Then the Minister is believed to have reviewed the failure of the Geneva protocol to win approval because of the general obligations it entailed, and finally tie conversations which led up to the Treaty of Locarno and Germany's entry to the League of Nations.

As ito Locarno, there is reason-to believe that the speech dealt only with the. results and effects of the treaty, the more t'aorny question of omitting the Dominions from that compact being left to he thrashed out at a later sitting of the conference.

On these lines the Foreign Secretary is said to have defended the Locarno Fact as sound European diplomacy. He mentioned that already the relations between France and Germany had improved and that there was strong hope of a ; further improvement if the Thory conversations were followed up in the spirit of Locarno.

WHEN THE KING IS AT WAR.

The second part of the Minister's speech;is said to have been more general in character; including the Chinese situation and tie difficulties confronting the restoration of Russia to the realm of normal diplomatic relations and recognition.

It is understood, however, that Sir Austen's complete uncovering of every channel of diplomatic intercourse was bo uri'ri6e,rve,'d and arresting as to throw into;., vivid; rfrlief the virtual impossibility, of safely accommodating the cold facts to the ideal of Dominion independence in the field of foreign affairs.

It is acknowledged that the representatives, of those Dominions which aspire to complete autonomy and independence were unable to suggest how to overcome the dictum: "When the King is at war the Empire is at war."

Nor could the delegates referred to answer the question whether their declared neutrality would be observed by the King's enemies. This is regarded as tie kernel of the whole problem of international and inter-Imperial relations.

.It is significant that to-day's programme will consist of addresses by Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, President of the Board of Trade, and Mr. L. a M. S. Amery, Secretary of State for the Dominions. This is thought to have been arranged in order that the visiting Prime Ministers may have time to reflect on Sir Austen's exposition of world affaivs.

The diplomatic correspondent of tie "Daily. Telegraph'? predicts that before the conference closes it will come to a decision concerning the Dominions' candidature for "a seat on the Council of the League at the next elections, and that Canada will be selected as the Empire's nominee.

The writer also expresses. surprise at we minute scrutiny to v/hich the text of the Locarno Pact has been subjected °7 the jurists of the Dominions, most of whom do not accept the contention of the authors of the pact that it does not increase the obligations of the league States under the covenant.

N.Z. DELEGATES. SIR J. PARR ADDED. LONDON, October 21. The High Commissioner for New Zealand, Sir James Parr, will be called in to assist Mr. Coates and Sir Francis Bell in the committee work of tie Imperial Conference when economic cubJects are reached.

_Mr. Coates is seeking the most precise information as to dairy produce difficulties, including importers' comPlaints regarding the Dairy Control Board's operations and the proposals Jor still tighter control contained in the board's recent memorandum.