PACIFIC SHIPPING QUESTION

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22110, 4 June 1937, Page 11

PACIFIC SHIPPING QUESTION

NO DECISIONS REACHED AT CONFERENCE LONDON, June 2. The Associated Press has been authoritatively informed that the Imperial Conference has reached no decisions of any kind in connexion with Pacific shipping. On the contrary, the discussions are proving protracted and difficult because of the divergent views of the various Governments and shipping companies. Every endeavour is being made to reach finality before the conclusion of the conference. This reply was given to a report published in London asserting that the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, England, and Canada had agreed to subsidise the building of a 25,000-ton liner to replace the Niagara, and later to replace the Aorangi. The Associated Press understands that this report, which is without foundation, was based on the recommendations which Britain made to the Dominions, following the Imperial Shipping Committee's report, which the Dominions have not accepted. The position, therefore, remains unchanged. PACIFIC PACT PROPOSAL DISCUSSION BEGUN BY IMPERIAL CONFERENCE LONDON, June 2. The chief delegates to the Imperial Conference, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain), during the morning got to grips with the proposal for a Pacific pact, as advanced by the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr J. A. Lyons). They had already considered a statement on the matter circulated by Mr Lyons, and they were able today to give a considered view on it. The political correspondent of the Associated Press understands that after Mr Lyons had initiated the discussion all the Dominions gave an enthusiastic reception to the idea. They are ready to support it in principle, but the stage has not so far been reached for approaching other Pacific Powers. It will first be necessary to formulate draft proposals to enable further conference discussions on them towards evolving an agreed formula, after which consultations will occur through diplomatic channels.