"CRISP TALK."

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 272, 16 November 1926, Page 7

"CRISP TALK."

CONFERENCE RUFFLED. PLAIN SPEECH ON DEFENCE. PEACE SOON RESTORED. <3y Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 15. For the first time since the opening of the Conference the placid waters became a little ruffled.. The Australian Press understands from the most reliable source that to-day's plenary session was marked by a little plain speaking. "Crisp talk" was the term applied to the candid interchange which, it is understood, occurred during Mr. Brace's speech on Imperial Defence. How important and testy the debate was is revealed not only by the Conference's decision to withhold any public announcement till the verbatim transcript could be closely scrutinised for the selection of a general outline, but by the private admission that the communique will be heavily censored. From what can be gathered the incident arose over the discussion of the extent to which the Dominions should share Britain's naval burden, and one of the Dominion delegate's comment across the table raising the whole question of the scope of Imperial relations as the governing consideration regarding the responsibility of defence. EMPIRE INTERDEPENDENCE. It is hinted that the upshot was the clinching of the fact of the Empire's inevitable interdependence from the standpoint of economics, trade and defence, and that an almost unanimous recognition thereof diverted the discussion into an examination of a declaration of policy which would not carry the appearance of a written constitution. One well-informed channel went so far as to say: "I think we've got it all right."

FOREIGN TREATIES. From the same quarter it was hinted that something is likely to be decided to-morrow setting out the Empire policy on foreign treaties. It will be of a rather innocuous character, but will appease those timid about becoming involved in Continental complications. Though there will not be another plenary session till Thursday it is most probable that all the major subjects will have reached a definite stage on Friday. The week-end will be devoted to drafting decisions or statements, and th« conference may be concluded on November 23.