DOMINIONS’ DUTY

Evening Star, Issue 18811, 9 December 1924, Page 5

DOMINIONS’ DUTY

DEFENCE AND TRADE. COLONIAL SECRETARY’S EXPOSITION. IMPORTANCE OF EMPIRE CO-ORDINATION. Trees Association-—By Telegraph—Copyngat. LONDON, December 8. (Received December 9, at 10.5 a.m.) Mr L. C. Amery (Secretary of State for the Colonics) was the guest of the Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club. He said that Australia and New Zealand, in the new movements to-day, occuped a geographical position comparable with that of the British Isles 300 years ago. It was impossible to say to-day whether Australia and New Zealand would bo able to profit from the position. They had a marvellous opportunity to defend themselves effectively against the possible perils of that position. Their weakness was lack of numbers, owing to a complete absence of a true co-operative policy with the Homeland for the reciprocal use of each other’s resources, “ but,” he said, “ we are learning wisdom now.” Mr Amery saief lie hoped it would now be possible to carry out an Empire settlement policy to even a greater extent than that provided by the Empire Settlement Act. He emphasised that it was useless to assist people to cross the ocean unless provision was made to purchase their produce. Ho hoped, despite the slight lapse a few mouths ago, that there would be an over-increasing pressure to carry out a policy of Imperial Preference in every direction. Referring to the necessity for keeping the ocean routes open in the interests of Empire defence, Mr Amery said there were three gateways of vital importance—viz.. Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Singapore. “We are bound effectively and firmly to safeguard our rights in Egypt, particularly those which have a bearing on Imperial communications. This is an internal matter concerning the British Empire, and not concerning anyone else. Singapore is a gateway which might be valueless unless Die means are provided to re-equip our ships. That, also, is purely an interna! matter for ourselves, which we are not merely entitled to look after, but bound to make sure of.” The Minister concluded ; " In the vast developments pending in the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand must give a lead to the new world, ns Great Britain has given a lead to the old world.” —Reuter. IMPORTANCE OF SINGAPORE. LONDON, December 8. (Received December 9, at 11 a.m.) Mr L. C. Amery, in a speech, said the Ministry was bound to make sure of the Singapore gateway. —Reuter. ROUND TABLE CONFERENCES. MR MASSEY’S VIEWS. STATESMEN SHOULD VISIT DOMINIONS. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 9. Referring to the cabled discussion concerning tho constitution of the Empire, Mr Massey yesterday made a statement supplementary to his former advocacy of representative Empire statesmen meeting occasionally in (lie overseas dominions. “ I agree almost entirely with tho opinion expressed by Mr L. C. Amery,’ said Mr Massey. '“When representative statesmen of tho Empire can come together in a ronnd-thc-tablo conference they have no difficulty in arriving at agreement, and the oftenor they come together the bettor for all concerned. As to meeting occasionally in overseas centres, I have advocated this on a number of occasions, and am confident that it would be an advantageous arrangement. If the Secretary of State for the Colonics can find time to visit the dominions, well and good. He will get a hearty_ welcome wherever lie goes; but, better still, would it be to have (periodical conferences in different countries in the way I have suggested.”