EMPIRE TALKS ON DEFENCE

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26362, 5 March 1951, Page 7

EMPIRE TALKS ON DEFENCE

PROBABLE MEETING IN MAY

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, March 3. The Commonwealth countries are discussing plans to hold a conference on Commonwealth defence in London, probably in May, says Reuter’s political correspondent. The object of the conference would be to co-ordinate Commonwealth defence plans with the broader plans of the Western Powers. It is not yet known which Commonwealth countries will take part, and the agenda has not yet been agreed upon. * It is believed, however, that the Commonwealth representatives would discuss:— (1) Middle East defence linking up with General Eisenhower’s command in Europe. . (2) The supply of strategic raw materials. „ , .. (3) An increase in the production of armaments and other manufactured goods for military needs, particularly in countries where rapid industrial expansion is possible. (4) The problem of guarding the Commonwealth’s long supply lines. (5) Arrangements for security in the Pacific. The proposed conference would follow talks on Commonwealth defence held by some of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers at their conference in London in January. During these talks, none of the three Asian countries — India, Pakistan, and Ceylon—was represented, although representatives of Pakistan and Ceylon had private talks with British officials on their own defence problems. Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are reported to have agreed to help in the defence of the Middle East in war-time. The area covers the Commonwealth’s most vital and vulnerable artery, the Suez Canal.