COMMONWEALTH CONFERENCE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26123, 27 May 1950, Page 8

COMMONWEALTH CONFERENCE

CANADIAN MINISTER’S COMMENTS (New Zealand Press Association) o WELLINGTON. May 26. “I think every step we took at the Commonwealth Ministers’ Conference indicated that the delegates recognised the urgency of the problem in south and south-east Asia. Where people are hungry and starving .it would be pretty urgent, wouldn't it?” This was said at a press conference yesterday by Mr R. W. Mayhew, Canadian Minister of Marine and Fisheries. who was a delegate to the Sydney conference. He was discussing the conference recommendation for technical aid costing £8.000,000, spread over three years. Mr Mayhew emphasised however that it would be a mistake to think there would be much immediate evidence of what was being done. “I think it is just a little early for any country to say what assistance it can give, • he said. The countries giving and the countries receiving aid would have to bring their plans and requirements to another conference in London in September. he said. Aid would begin to bud after the next conference, and irom then onward the fruits would be continuous and would last many years. Mr Mayhew said no country had been suggested as the first to receive assistance. A firm, realistic, concrete programme would be formed at the September conference and the plans would bo comprehensive.