IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 249, 15 July 1921, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

REPARATIONS DISCUSSED ALLOTTING THE DOMINIONS’ SHARES BASIS OF DIVISION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. July 14, 11.40 p.m.) London, July 13. The Premiers’ Conference discussed reparations this afternoon, the Chancellor of the Exchequer presiding. An attempt is being made to devise a satisfactory scheme for allotting the Dominions’ share of 22J per cent, coming to tho Empire out of 16,000 million gold marks which Germany will eventually pay. The allotment bristles with difficulties, but the •tone of the 1 discussion is most moderate and conciliatory. One proposal is that the division be made in proportion to tho number of deaths of Dominion soldiers; another is that it bo based on the casualties; a third on the basis of the pensions now being paid out; and a fourth on tho number of troops sent overseas. There was a long discussion, but no decision. Casualties would give Australia an advantage. It in learned to-night that an arrangement is likely to be made wholly satisfactory to the Commonwealth. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE CONSIDERED BY PREMIERSUNNECESSARY. (Rec. July 14, 10.15 p.m.) London, July 13. Recent developments at the Premiers’ Conference with reference to facilities for inter-imperial Government communications, and also Lord Curzon's proposal to establish more intimate and more frequent consultations on foreign matters affecting the 'Dominions, have impressed the Premiers that the proposed constitutional conference is becoming unnecessary. Among the principal reasons for summoning the present conference was the preparation of agenda for the constitutional conference next year, in accordance with the resolution of the 1918 Imperia] Conference. It is believed that the Premiers are purposely postponing the preparation of the agenda in the hope that the conference will not be held The majority believe that the present system to be more elastic and more capable of improvement than any form of federation or written constitution.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. FACILITIES (Rec. July 14, 16.15 p.m.) London, July 13. The conference to-day split into committees dealing respectively with mails, cable rates, wireless telegraphy and telephony, aviation, and reparations. The committees hope to report to conference next week. None of them have completed' their tasks, but it is forecasted that the committees are of opinion that it is impossible to accelerate mails, owing to tho cost of coal, and that wireless has not passed the scientific stage mid is unable to compete with cables commercially, and aviation is premature for long distances. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EMPIRE PRESSINION DEPUTATION HIGH CABLE~RATIES AND CONGESTED LINES. (Rec. July 15, 0.5 a.m.) London, July 14. Although the Imperial Conference is overshadowed, by tho M ashington conference and the de Valera developments, the delegates continue to stick closely to work. Yesterday was fully occupied. The Conference met at the Colonial Office. Mr. Churchill presiding. Tho communications question was further considered, military and civil experts of all branches attending, including tho Post-master-General. Some headway was made, the discussion being adjourned to hear a deputation from tho Empire Press Union, Lord Burnham and Lord Riddell acting as spokesmen. Lord Burnham pointed out the disabilities under which the Press struggled, mainly owing to the high cable rates and) congestion of the lines. Ho showed the contrast with the American and French systems of propaganda, which provided facilities for the Press and gave the latter a tremendous advantage. Tho Press of the Empire, on the contrary, was strangled by the high rates and lack of adequate facilities. Lord Riddell said the question was not so much whether lower rates would pay the cable companies, but whether the best interests of the Empire were served by the present system of news distribution oversea and from tho Dominions. Further representations will bo made to-morrow. It is understood that wireless interests offer to provide a rate exactly half the lowest of tho cable companies, if a chain, is authorised. All opinion favours direct communication rather than relays.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FOREIGN POLICY London, July 12. The conference to-day again considered the foreign policy, tho discussion being really a three-cornered one between Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Hughes, and Mr. Meighen, in an endeavour to discover tho means by which the voice of the Empire can be most effectively heard. Details of the discussion are secret but it is reported that no decision was reached. Mr. Meighen now proposes visiting Canada and returning while the conference continues. Mr. Hughes points to . this as an indication of tho advantage, in regard to time and distance Canada s communications give her over the Australasian Dominions. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS DISCUSSED FOREIGN AND IMPERIAL AFFAIRS. ‘Rec. July 15, 6.5 a.m.) London, July 14. Tho Prime Ministers, including Mr. Lloyd George, who met in private on Tuosdav conferred again secretly yes-, terdny' morning. Highly confidential matters relating to foreign and Imperial affairs were discussed. No other announcement lias been. mam-. The immigration question was consid--1 eied afterwards by a special committee, with a view- to securing systematic development of tho Empire along ordered lines. Finally it was agreed to refer the matter to open conference at a Inter stage. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HISTORICAL CONFERENCES HAPPY AUGURY FOR THE FUTU RE. (Rec. July 14, 10.50 p.m.) London, July 13. Mr. Asquith presided at the Eighty Club’s luncheon to the Dominion Premiers. He said ho welcomed President Harding’s invitation. Whatever the Imperial Conference had done, or whatever it might contemplate doing, it would always bo associated in history with an event which had a happy augury for the future, namely, the summons to 11. conference at Washington. He also welcomed the Tris'll Conference, the issue of which would affect the Dominions as much as Britain. Mr. Meighen responded, and said he heartily welcomed President Hardings proposed conference.-—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.