MR. BALDWIN'S OPENING SPEECH

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 81, 3 October 1923, Page 5

MR. BALDWIN'S OPENING SPEECH

BRITISH COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS

(BNIIED PRBSS ASBOCUTION.—COPIKIGHI.)

(RBOTBR'S TEI.EORAM.)

(Received 3rd October, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, Ist October

The British Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, in his opening speech at the Imperial. Conference, very heartily welcomed the delegates-to the Conference. He pointed out that, except for General Smuts, Mr. Massey, and: Lord Curzon, who had importantly participated in the Conferences since 1917, the delegates, except Mr. Burton, were attending the Imperial Conference for the first time. He cordially welcomed Mr. Gosgrave and' his colleagueß, and also Mr. Mackenzie King, on whom he Baid they would rely to continue the high traditions of his predecessors. They would be especially glad to benefit by his knowledge of industrial problems. Mr. Warren was no stranger to England, nor Mr. De Wet, •whom Mr. Baldwin cordially greeted. It was a pleasure to have with them the distinguished representatives of the Indian Empire.

REPARATIONS PROBLEM

Reviewing the history of the reparations problem since May, 1921, Mr. Baldwin emphasised the fact that there was no difference of opinion among the Allies on the principle that Germany should be made to pay to the utmost limit of her ability. The Government had no easy task in carrying out its policy of neither helping nor hindering the action of the Allies, but he dared to hjipe it had succeeded in the main

in maintaining strict neutrality. Notes exchanged between Britain and France ' since the January Conference had more and more revealed an honest ; diverg'enee of opinion in regard to the best method of obtaining reparations and" advancing the cause oi- permanent peace in Europe. That divergence was reflected in the differences of temperament and outlook of the two nations which it wpuld be foolish to ignore, but the last twenty years had shown that they were not incompatible with whole-hearted co-operation in the face of grave danger.

PART PLAYED BY LEAGUE

Mr. Baldwin, referring to the ItaloGresk crisis, particularly drew attention to the very useful and effective part played, by the League of Nations. The members of the Council of the League deserved the greatest credit for placing. ..the permanent interests „of peace above', what 'might • have. seemed the immediate interests of the League. Had the League not existed, and npt acted as it did, a resort to arms would almost inevitably have occurred. The moderation and' common-sense shown by the League under very trying circumstances had strengthened its hold upon the confidence of reasoning' men everywhere. They v had every reason to be satisfied with the part played by the British Empire delegations at Geneva in contributing to this happy result.'

TREATY OF LAUSANNE

Dealing witb the Turkish Treaty, Mr. Baldwin said that he was of opinion, after hearing a statement by Lord Curzon in that connection, that the'delegates would agree-that the Treaty notonly saieguarded the essential interests ot the British Empire, without damaging British prestige, but that it had done something to reconcile the different national and religious interests which so often troubled that quarter of the world, and that it might have laid the foundation fora period of comparative tranquility and economic reconstruction.

Referring to Britain's debt to America, the Prime Minister emphasised that the burden was very heavy, amounting to an income tas of sevenpence in the pound. Repayment would demand all our energies, but funding was the only course consistent with the supreme standard of British credit, and essential to the preliminary restoration of the normal economic life of the world. The debts of great nations must be recognised, if the foundations of commercial progress were to stand.

TRADE AND DEFENCE

Turning to Imperial defence, Mr. Baldwin said the results of the Washington Conference were exceeding the most sanguine expectations, and were in no small measure du e to the last Imperial Conference, and the successfa co-operation of the British Empire delegation. Referring to the decision to reinforce the defensive air forces lie reiterated the willingness of the Government to co-operate with other governments in limiting air armaments Dealing with the effect of post-war ""settlement, Mr. Baldwin said that unhappily the recent improvement in oai hem CheCked- He P°int«* out that there were still a million and li^W^ unem Pl°yed. compared with a little over a million and a half when the last Conference met Thl question of • inter-Imperial trade was on e of the most important items on the trt" * H!l W- 3S confidenfc they would be able to devise mutually advantageous measures by way of redistributing population, improving transport and means of communication, and generally increasing the facilities for the growth of trade within the Empire

RESOURCES OF EMPIRE

rnnrfV S*ld that tha eC°n°mic conoition of Europe made it essential to •turn the,r eyes elsewhere. The resources of the Empire were boundless, and the Hi °!'/ aP i<J devolopmenfc clamant.. He trusted that they would not separate f-efore reaching an agreement as to the ftrst step te create in the nofc _ too _! distant future a n ample supply of those l n U a^ naU J on which the trade of fte woi Id depended. Population would necessarily follow such an extension, and that ,n turn led to a general expansion of business, from which alone could come ? 'J nProvemenfc in the material condition of the people. Referring to India's special problems, ■ l a.' d, th, at ie wafi convinced that they might look-.confidently to the co-opera-tl.°"no!L°nly of the peoples of India but pi tho Dominion Governments.

SITUATION IN EUROPE

..Surveying the situation in Europe, he naid that tho size of" armies and the nio,lle3' *P*nl> °ii munitions were greaW

IRISH GOOD FAITH

ITS FUNCTION AND FUTURE IN THE WORLD

than in 1914. Economic solidarity was rent asunder. Was it not amazing that all efforts should not be directed to reconstruction? His .only consolation was to recall the history of the past and reflect on the-unity of our own Empire and the deep universal desire of our people for peace.

GREATER LEAGUE OF NATIONS

■ In_this_ connection he referred to the growing international moral senße as revealed in the proceedings of the Assembly _of the League of Nations, to the existence of a powerful friend of peace in the United States, and finally that the League of Nations, in whose name they were assembled, namely, the British Commonwealth, far greater, as General Smuts once truly said, than any Empire which had ever existed, a dynamic system growing and evolving all the time towards new destinies.

LIKE STEEL IN CONCRETE

The Empire was the natural spontaneous product ,hot only of its own necessities, but of those of mankind. "Before me," he said, "I see men who together can speak for a world commonwealth containing one-quarter of mankind. Like a net-work of steel embedded in concrete this commonwealth, holds more than itself together. Dissolve these ties and civilisation itself would collapse.

STRENGTHEN THE BONDS

"We stand here on an equal footing," he proceeded. "There is not a Government present which can bind the rest. We can act with effect so far as we can agree and no further. But we shall achieve agreement, and so strengthen the bonds uniting us only- so far as each and all of us seek how to relieve not only our own difficulties and troubles but those of the distracted world.

"The British Empire cannot live for itself alone," he said, in conclusion. "Its strength as a Commonwealth of Nations will grow so far as they unite to bear the burdens of those weaker and less fortunate than themselves."

VOICE OF THE DOMINIONS

Mackenzie (Canada) emphasised Canada s desire to heh> to solve the common problems and stressed the advantages of publicity in giving the Parliaments and peoples of the Dominions the fullest/ information. He heartily endorsed Mr. Baldwin's desire that the Conference should -contribute to the peace and justice of the world.

Mr. Massey (New Zealand) said that he hoped that the Conference would succeed in doing something definitely to solve many of the possible problems which had arisen. ■ '

•■-General'Smuts (South Africa) particularly welcomed the Irish delegates, whose presence showed what goodwill could effect. He urged that the Conference, without-threats, should speak with 1 a voice that would'be listened to in the affairs of the world, and that the Empire should exert its enormpus influence to the full in order to assist in the "settlement of Europe.

TO FOSTER EMPIRE TRADE

General Smuts further urged the necessity of _ supporting the League of Nations, which had come with credit and a strengthened position out of the Italian crisis. He expressed the opinion that, without any revolutionary departure from England's settled fiscal policy, much could be done to foster iriter-Em-pire trade. He hoped that the Conference would register great advantage in that direction, but it would naturally take many years before the Empire could take the place of Europe in Britain s trade. He pointed out that the Outer Empire also needed the re-estab-Usnment of trade with Europe.

Mr. Cosgrave (Irish Free State), stressed a declaration that the Irish, delegates came in good faith, and with an earnest desire to assist to Eolve the problems. They were prepared to shoulder the common burdens. He said that he was glad Mr. Massey had been able to come. He knew that he had to face great difficulties in coming However, he had triumphed as he had always done.

"FATHER OF THEM ALL-

Mr._ Warren (Newfoundland), inthanking Mr. Massey for "his reference to now delegates, said : "We all know that among the Dominion Prime Minuter, he » .the father of us all, and sitting, as I do, so close to him, I hope k m% f n -n•om ■him how t0 aaW™ the title to Pnme Mwistercship by prescription." y ' pc

MR. MASSEY'S REMARKS

Mr. _ Massey said that he had not intended at the present time to comment on the matters to winch Mr. Baldwin had referred m a very clear and very exhaustive statement, because he thought that better and more suitable opportunities for Ifc n I? ter- He W that before ™c Conference ended they would be able to do something definite and satisfactory in the way o£ solving as many asi powible of the problems that had ansen m the last few years Ho mm rielin M'- Bal dWil? and Mr.-fU°S: hPr, f V A vel? onun S U'e new members to the Conference. He did nrf doubt that they would be abkto do R ood h« «Mn?h a? T 6 °f J the older »*">"«» he said that he and General • Smuts would be very pleased to have theil as W^ b" T^ >TtV ««t were certain to be brought before them in the next six weeks or two months.