EMPIRE CO-OPERATION

Evening Star, Issue 20666, 13 December 1930, Page 17

EMPIRE CO-OPERATION

IMPERIAL COMMITTEES SIR HALFORD MACKINDER’S CHAIRMANSHIP. (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. RUGBY. December 11. Sir Halford Mackinder, in a letter to tho Prime Minister, dated November 18, which was published to-night, recalls that on the evo of the Imperial Conference ho placed himself at the disposal of the conference respecting 'ips chairmanship of tho Imperial Economic Committee and tho Imperial Shipping Committee, feeling that the Governments of the Empire might desire to remodel one or both. Tho report of the Graham Committee which was endorsed by the conference, seemed to imply that he should continue as chairman of the Shipping Committee, but that the chair of tho Economic Committee should bo occupied for one year by a representative of each Government in rotation. In tendering his resignation ho was proud of the fact that that body should not only receive a fresh lease of life, but also a more accurately Imperial constitution, wider reference, and, if need bo, a reinforced secretariat.

The Prime Minister, in reply, recalls the conference resolutions which bear testimony to the value of Sir Halford’s services on both committees. The experience of the working of the Imperial Economic Committee had removed apprehensions which attended its commencement and its sphere of work, and its influence had steadily increased. The term of Sir Halford’s chairmanship had witnessed a -most valuable advance in Imperial co-opera-tion, The Prime Minister has _ asked Sir Halford to continue tho chairmanship until the changes in tho constitution aro effected, and trusts that ho will he able to remain as chairman of tho Shipping Committee. In a further letter Sir Halford accedes to tho request.