IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 October 1937, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] WELLINGTON, September 30 The House met at 2.30 when the debate on ihe Imperial Conference report, was resumed by Mr Rroadfoot. who contended that ihe time for resumption of migration had arrived, and he suggested the Prime Alinisr tor should inquire into the question oi child migration, with a view to its adoption in ihe Dominion. The Minister of Defence (Air Jones) said that since the Labour Government. had taken office, a great deal of attention had been paid to the three Defence Forces. In connection with naval defence, (lie policy of the previous Government had been continued. and the work authorised by that. Government had been completed The Government was endeavouring to increase the number of New Zealanders in the service, a fact which was greatly appreciated by Pd'ilain. Speaking of the development of the Air Force, the Afinister dealt, with the visit to the Dominion of Group Caplain Cochrane, and the work he was doing in the direction ol training large numbers of pilots. Altogether, the Government was doing its best to provide additional air defence for New Zealand. Concerning (he military forces of New Zealand, Mr Jones deiailed ihe reorganisation and mechanisation which had been effected. He stated that the Dominion purchased a large quantity of ammunition from Australia. Some people would ask why we had not bought i( from Britain, but (he Mother Country required all her output. and appreciated our purchasing supplies in the Commonwealth. Ho would assure members (hat (ho Government was playing- its part not only for the defence of the Dominion, bitt also for the defence of the Empire as a whole. Mr Endoan said that certainly the ideal of the League of Nations was great. Inti he asked how could unanimity be reached with so many great nations outside it. The best League of Nations was the British Empire, and the best, means of ensuring peace- lay in a strong British Em pirn.

NO DHSIRE TO MIGRATE. Mr Howard dealt with the migration problem, staling that it we w.enl down on bended knees and asked for migrants from the Old (’ouiitry. wo could not gel them. People were being better looked after at Home today, than over before in his men’ar.-.-. and they did not want to leave Britain. Mr Bodkin stated there could bo no international prosperity until the nations again began to trade freely with each other. Mr Chapman said the Prime Alin ister had brought a new idea to tho Imperial Conference, namely the recognition of the importance of the increased standard of living as a step towards peace. Mr Anderton said the Imperial Conference had done something towards the stabilisation of the League of Nations. If we could have more ol these conferences and if they were given a greater mandate they would do more in the interests ol the world than at present. Air McKeon considered that collective security cmild never be reached through discussions in the different Parliaments of the xvorld. but must be arrived at in conference between the different nations. Mr Savage, replying to the debate, said there seemed to bo one fly in the ointment. That was the statemom, of the member for Awarua, referring to tlie lack of New Zealand’s reaffirmation of loyalty to the Crown in the report. He wondered was the Honourable Member referring to his (Mr Savage's) personal loyalty. Mr Polson’: 1 don’t think that the I Member for Awarua meant that. Mr. Savage said that he had first i a ken the.' oath of allegiance as a. City Councillor twenty years ago. and had given it at every Parliament since. The last, time he had given it was to His Aiajesty himself al Buckingham Palace. An accusation had been made that, the principles of the New Zealand delegates to the Imperial Conference embarrassed the British Government. Members of the British Cabinet had not shown any embar- ; russment. I Mr Broadfoot' The.v are very courI I eons. Mr Savage: They are very sensible. Mr Broadfoot : Why did not you show yourseli’ in the Coronation pro|cession? We could not see you. | Mr Savage: It was the King's procession. li wasn’t mine. I was not out to do a little electioneering like some people. In conclusion, the Primo Ministoi stated that some jieoplo accused hint of being an idealist, and a dreamer, lint lie would rather be an idealist who did something than a statesman who stood by waiting for things to happen. The House rose at 5.1 it.