EXCHANGE OF VIEWS

Evening Star, Issue 25770, 17 April 1946, Page 7

EXCHANGE OF VIEWS

THE COMMONWEALTH DISCUSSIONS WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) (Rec 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, April 16. The Commonwealth discussions will begin on April 23 at No. 10 Downing Street with Mr Attlee presiding. They are expected to last three weeks. It is emphasised that they do not represent an Imperial Conference in the old style, but provide an opportunity for an exchange of views between the British Prime Minster and the Prime Ministers of the dominions. There will be no formal agenda and there will be no formal resolutions passed. Lord Addison and Mr Bevin will sit in the conference and take nart in the discussions, also other Ministers who may be directly concerned. During the first week, when Mr Nash, Mr Chifley and Dr Evatt are present, it is expected that questions relating to the Pacific and South-east Asia will be discussed, together with the American request for bases in the Pacific and Imperial defence. During the second week, when Field Marshal Smuts will join the discussions, the subjects to be covered will be the general position in the Mediterranean and the future of Italian colonies. It is anticipated that Mr Chifley will then return to Australia, but Mr Mackenzie King will arrive from Canada. The discussions will then be continued by M Attlee, Mr Nash, Field Marshal, Smuts, Mr Mackenzie King and Dr Evatt. They are expected to survey general political, questions arising out of the peace treaties I with Italy, Rumania, Hungary and Bulgaria together with the future of Germany. There will' also be an exchange of views over a wide range of political problems arising out of the war in which Britain and the dominions have a common interest. It is likely that the dominion Prime Ministers will bring forward matters on which they would like an exchange of views. It is unlikely that there will be detailed discussions on trade questions, though these will inevitably be discussed in general terms and general principles. Mr Herbert Morrison, of course, recently expressed the hope that a preparatory conference of the dominions on trade matters will be held in preparation for the trade conference to be called by the United States, and detailed questions on trade and • Imperial preference will be left to those talks. It is emphasised that the discussions at No. 10 Downing Street should not be regarded as primarily for dealing with the question of Imperial defence. The establishment off a rigid Imperial, defence system is not envisaged, but there will be exchange of views on several matters. The chiefs-of-staff are expected to be present for these talks, and it is likely that atomic energy and other scientific developments will be reviewed. Food is unlikely to have any definite place in the talks, but it is likely that there will be discussions between the British Government Minister of Food and individual Prime Ministers. The world food situation is unlikely to be considered. India may be represented if her delegate to the Paris peace conference comes to London, though his presence is still problematical in view of the uncertainty whether tlie peace conference will begin on May 1 or not. Eire will not be represented, as the Prime Ministers will chiefly be discussing matters 'arising out of the war, in which Eire, of course, was neutral. Although the discussions begin on April 23, it is thought that the talks on that clay will be informal and that the conference will not get down to business until the following day.