IMPERIAL CONFERENCES

Evening Star, Issue 18394, 1 October 1923, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCES

M.R MASSEY’S ARRIVAL.

INTERVIEW WITH MR BALDWIN

Press Association—By Telegraph—CopyrigW

LONDON, September 29. Mr Massey was welcomed at Southampton by the port authorities, and at London he was officially received by Sir Ronald Waterhouse, representing the Prime Minister, Mr E. H. Marsh, representing the Duke of Devonshire (Secretary of State for the Colonies), Sir James Masterton-Smitih (Permanent Under-Secre-tary for the Colonies), and Sir Maurice Hankcy (Secretory to the Imperial Conferences). A largo number of New' Zealanders who are now resident in London greeted him with cheers. Sir James Allen was absent at the League of Nations Assembly at Geneva.

Mr Baldwin sent for Mr Massey immediately on his arrival, and had a, long interview with him. He also mot Mr Neville Chamberlain (Chancellor of the Exchequer). In the afternoon Mr Massey had an interview with the Duke of Devon*, shire. At the request of the latter considerable prominence was given in the London Press to Mr Massey's arrival.

MEETING WITH MR COOLIDGE.

A CORDIAL RECEPTION

LONDON, September 28. Mr Massey claims two records on Che Homeward trip—first, a saving of two days in the Pacific, and secondly, a saving of one hour in crossing the Atlantic. Ho said he was greatly impressed by his courteous reception at Washington, where he was given a luncheon by the American Government and a dinner by the British Embassy.

In referring to his meeting with President Coolidge, ’no said that he had formed the highest possible opinion of his ability. He displayed not only friendliness, but was well informed, understanding New Zealand’s problems and prospects. The President had the warmest admiration for the dominion’s legislative and social development, and he requested Mr Massey to send, on bis own behalf and also on behalf of the Government, n. cordial message wishing the sister .democracy of New Zealand prosperity and happiness.

Mr Massey said that when he left New Zealand lie was physically run down, but he was now in splendid condition. When he was informed that Mr Bruce proposed 1 ) tour the provinces after the conference Me Massey said his slay in England would be limited to the duration of the conference. He was anxious to return to New Zealand at lie earliest possible date. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

CONFERENCE PROCEDURE.

LONDON, September 28,

After the inaugural meeting on Monday tho Imperial Conference will meet again on Wednesday and Friday, by which time Mr Bruce will probably have arrived.

The Imperial Economic Conference will meet at the Cabinet offices on Tuesday and Thursday. The first week’s discussion will Ibe' concerned with procedure and several opening statements. During the second week the conference will probably ho broken up into sub-committees, of which, judging by the 'agenda list, there will he half a dozen.—Reuter.

INTEREST IN LONDON,

LONDON, September 30. _ Tho greatest interest is being taken in the Imperial Conference, on Monday _in the historic Cabinet room at Downing Street. The Sunday papers arc full of details and articles. Mr J. L. Garvin, in (ho 'Observer, begins a throe-oolumn article with _ the anecdote that when someone complained to Dr Johnson about a dog who did not dance well, Dr Johnson replied that tho wonder was that it did it at all. So with tho conference, which never can work miracles. Separated as it is by long intervals, the miracle is that it meets pit all. Mr Garvin proceeds! "Tho question for the conference when it touches foreign policy is whether France does or ders not intend to lift her rigid and one-sided veto on tho restoration of normal economic conditions in Europe and the whole world. The ‘ Observer’s ’ diplomatic correspondent emphasises that the most important issue is how tho Empire resources can bo mobilised for tho immediate relief of the Empire as a whole from the disastrous effects of after-war diplomacy in Europe. Tho 1 Sunday Express ’ insists that the chief problem for the conference is unemployment in Britain. —A. and N.Z. Cable. AMERICAN COMMENT.

NEW YORK, September_ 29._ The * New York Times,’ in an editorial on tho Imperial Conference, says there can be no doubt of the British Government’s desire to find a practical way of inviting tho fullest cooperation > of the British Commonwealth in everything pertaining to peaces and war. Sonic Englishmen confess to a certain alarm because of what they consider the separatist tendency within the Empire. Ilio stronger dominions desire an equal voice in the derision of every question touching on Imperial interests. If this is insisted upon unyieldingly, it will undoubtedly constitute a. peril to the British Empire, '1 he nut side 1 world will be surprised, however, if tho Imperial Conference does not succeed in finding some plan by which, the Home Government and the dominions may work together in a harmonious understanding, with loyalty to tho Empire everywhere maintained.—A. a.nd N. Z. Cable.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S ATTL

TUDE,

LONDON, September 29 (Received October 1, at 10.7)5 a.m.)

‘The Times’ says; “Tho British Government will not attempt to force on the Economic Conference proposals which will not he acceptable to its members. jho nation is prepared to accord to the dominions everything which is implied in tho phrase. ‘ self-governing,’ but the conference marks the growing unity of the. Empire a.a a whole. The war emphasised the commercial potentialities of inlerinipcrial relations, and revealed many dangers arising from economic dependence on foreign countries. This has quickened the interest in the development of the Empire’s resources, and has helped the principle of exchange between the various par's of the Empire.” ‘The Times,’ in a special article, discusses the practical possibilities of developing interimperial trade; a-', for example, the inauguration of a perm nieiit economic council. —' The Times

IRELAND’S DELEGATES,

LONDON, .September 30,

(Received October 1, at 10.5 a.m.)

Tho Irish'delegates to tbs Imperial Con fercnco are Mr Gosgrave and Messrs Fitz geraTO, M'Grath, and M‘Nei!L—Reuter,