EMPIRE PREMIERS

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1944, Page 5

EMPIRE PREMIERS

CONFERENCE OPENED Secret Discussions ON VARIETY OF QUESTIONS LONDON, May 1. A large crowd assembled in the street to witness the .arrival of the foui’ Dominion Prime Ministers at Number Ten Downing Street this morning. Mr. Churchill presided at the first session of the Prime Ministers’ Conference. He made a brief speech, welcoming the Dominion leaders, to which t.each Prime Minister replied. Mr. Churchill will give a summary of the immediate war situation. When this is discussed, it is likely t 0 be followed by an examination of the plans for a Pacific offensive after the tall of Germany. Mr. Churchill will preside at ah future meetings if possible, while Mr. Eden, Mr. Attlee and Lord Cranbourne also hope to be whole-time attendants. A set agenda has been prepared, but the talks will be 011 an informal exploratory basis which will enable a free and frank expression of the views of all the Prime Ministers and the discussions will range over the widest possible field. Members of the British Government present included Lord Cranbourne, Mr. A. V. Alexander, Loi d Beaverbrook, Sir S. Cripps, Sir J. Anderson, Mr. Eden, Mr. Lyttelton, Mr. Amery, Lord Woolton. Sir J Grigg, Mr. Herbert. Morrison, Sir A. Sinclair and Mr. Bevin. The conference opened In cona.tions of secrecy similar to those enforced in connection with Cabinet discussions. Secrecy was doubly necessary on security grounds, relation of the second front and other matters connected with the prosecution of the war, which are being discussed. An the public are likely to get while the conference is sitting are occasional progress reports, which will be silent on war topics, and it is unlikely that more than records of soirfe political and economic subjects dealt with will be issued. No decisions will bs announced. The King and Queen sat facing each other at the centre of the table with the four Dominion Prime Ministers and other guests on both sides, when Their Majesties on. Monday night, gave a dinner party at Buckingham Palace in honour of the visiting Prime Ministers. Princess Elizabeth was present, attending her first important official dinner party. The guests included the Duke of Gloucester, the Earl of Harewood, and Princess Royal, the Duchess of Kent, Mr. Churchill the Maharajah of Kashmir and Sir Firoz Khan Noon.

The Associated Press understands that one of the questions cioseiy affecting Australia will be increasing the food supplies for Europe to meet the demands of the liberated countries. Mr. Curtin is expected to insist that if this meant any further reorganisation of Australian military forces for the release of men for primary industries, it must be accompanied by a general reallocation of the United Nations’ forces throughout the Pacific.

“The Times’s” diploinatic correspondent, commenting bn the agenda, says: Supply problems will bulk large in the war discussions. There will be lull investigation of the armistice terms, plans for woria settlement, and future organisation of public law. . General discussion on colonial welfare development will no douot lead to examination of the scheme advanced by General Smuts otnerwise for the regional grouping of colonies, some groups of which would be under the leadership of the nearest Dominion. There is a wider scheme for international commissions wherein the vitally interested powers would agree to a common policy of > defence and economic development within a given colonial region. Education throughout the Empire will be examined in a desire to promote a still closer understanding among Empire people. Extensive migration plans will be discussed as part of the, post-war settlement lor the Empire ; and the world, . ! The “Daily Mail’s” diplomatic correspondent says: The creation of a permanent Empire 'Council or secreariat responsible for moulding a united British Commonwealth policy, in post-war years has begun to as sume a vital place in the delibeiations. It became obvious at the first, meeting to-day that such a body will have to be established if there is to be an effective agreement, and equally effective fulfilment of a common policy in the world’s councils. Foreign policy and defence organisation as wen as economic and commercial questions would be canalised through an Empire Secretariat if it is established, and assist considerably , the effective development of a common Empire policy. This view has been expressed by those participating in the present ' deliberations. Fma agreement on the scone of this ne deal of Empire unity and organisation is not yet in sight. . The correspondent says he is assured on high authority there is already apparent a large degree of agreement on me necessity for an organisation of this kind, also • broad foundations on wmch it shouia be built. Some reservations may oe expected from Mr. Mackenzie King, but it is assumed the general pun ciple will be accepted m degrees by Australia. New South Africa, and, of c ?Y, rS £ n f O matic The “Daily Express’s diplomatic correspondent also reports '. consideration of a permanent Brnpvre Becietariat, and adds: The chief topics tor discussion include the invasion 1 Europe, the future of Gel many and Japan, the formation of a new League of Nations, or similar, organisation with the United Nations as the core, Empire communications, m eluding radio, aviation and shipping, and the welfare of colonial Peoples. Mr. J. L. Garvin, in the Sunday Express” says: The conferences fcliberations will proceed while the calculated mystery of the Becond Front occupies all minds. it is vivid conjunction in the annals of the British Commonwealth. mis meeting of Prime Ministers e j? ardently urged since the outbreal, and was repeatedly prevented. Now that we are able to have it at la st w must remember it has two very diiferent aspects One presents t far-reaching question whether some permanent form of c * os . er c° ul ??,p can be established between the Mother Country and the Dominions. The other aspect concerns the niarveil ous part of the Dominions in war itself. Some fundamental lessons about the nature of Commonwealtl'h .Jias been made plain to friend and foe.” Referring to Mr. Fraser. Mr Gatvln sa-vs: “In Mr. Fraser, New Zealand has found a man who is as steady as rock Peterborough, in the “Daily Telegraph,” says: General Smuts and Mr. Fraser spent the week-end in me country with Mr. Churchill. The Prime Minister is now renewing a friendship which began when tne head of 'the New Zealand Govern-

ment came here in the Summer of 1941’. Mr.' Churchill was then impressed bv the keenly analytical mind which Mr. Fraser showed at meeting; of the War Cabinet.” iRIVAL POLICIES. CANADIAN AND AUSTRALASIA. (Rec. 9 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 2. The New York “Herald-Tribune’s” London correspondent says: “Australia’s direct concern in the Japanese war, and Canada's demand for an independent voice in British foreign policy in questions involving the Dominions, are the two outstanding topics of the Prime Ministers’ Conference. Reliably informed circles say that, with New Zealand solidly behind Australia in. calling for the greatest possible concentration on the war in the Pacific, the Far Eastern theatre will be as much discussed as the European invasion plans.” The New York “Times” London correspondent states: Mr. Curtin’s proposals for the closer unification of British policy and for action with-a permanent organisation will be discussed. The fact, however, that the proposals are regarded, not only outside of the British Empire, but in Canada, as having a flavour .of “ganging up,” is considered the best assurance that they will, at least temporarily, be shelved.