PACIFIC PACT

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1937, Page 5

PACIFIC PACT

UPHELD AT CONFERENCE Shipping Rivalry ( \us. & N.Z Cable Assn). LONDON. June 2. The Chief delegates at the Imperial Conference, Air Chamberlain presiding, during the mo’-ning, got to grips with Air Lyons’ Pacific Paet, proposal. They had already eon idered a statement. regarding the matter circulated, by him, and were able to-day, to give a eonsideied view on it. After Mr Lyons h-id initiated the discussion (the Associated Press polit.. cal correspondent understand-) all the Dominions gave an enthusiastic reception to the idea, and are ready to support it in principle, hut the stag e is not thus far reached for approaching other Pacific Powers. It will first be necessary’ to formulate draft proposals to enable a further conference discussion on them, towards evolving -m agreed formula, after which consultations will occur through diplomat;'! channels. ’The Associated 'Press is authoritatively’ informed that the Imperial Conference has reached no decision of any kind in connection with the Pacific shipping. On the contrary’, the discussions thereanent are proving pro. traeted. and difficult, owing to the various governments and shipping companies’ divergent views. Every’ endeavour is being made to reach finality before the conclusion of the Conference This reply was given to a report published in London, asserting that the Governments of Australia, New Zealand. England and Canada had agreed to subsidise the building of a 20,000-ton liner to replace the Niagara anj later- would be replacing the Aorangi. The Associated Press understands that this report, which is without foundation, is based on recommenda. tions which Britain made to the Dominions, following the Imperial Shipping Committee’s report, which the Dominions have not -accepted'.