REPARATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 July 1924, Page 5

REPARATIONS

INTER-ALLIED CONFERENCE*

8T CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

OTTAWA, July 19. Correspondence between the Canadian and British Governments with reference to representation at the ln-ter-Allied Conference was tabled in the House- of Commons.

Replying to a. telegram from .the Premier (Mr W. L. Mackenzie King) to the effect that, if the protocol was to be signed on behalf of Canada, it would b-e necessary for Canada to have a representative holding full powers, thp British Premier (Mr Ramsay MacRbnald) suggested that the arrangements likely best to meet the'situation seemed to be:—(1) For British representatives to be appointed by the Dominions and the Indian Governmerits during the course of the conference; (2) foe the Dominion Governments to lie kept fully informed by telegraph. Mr ;■ MacDonald said lie had assured the High Commissioners and the Secretary of State for India that whatever was agreed upon in view ot the exceptional circumstances was not to he regarded or quoted as a precedent, and a statement to Chat effect would ba made by him to the conference.

M,r Mackenzie King replied: “From the statements in your telegram of July IT it would seem that tho preliminary conference was hot, as we had been led to believe-, so much for the purpose, of arranging the representation of the Dominions and, India on the Empire .delegation,, as for informing the Dominions and India of what, in advance, of the consultation with their representatives, had been decided with respect to their representation. This is precisely the procedure adopted with respect to the representation at the Lausanne Conference, to which exception has been taken, and concerning which we have been told we should have spoken more plainly at the time, and which for many reasons we had hoped would pot have been repeated. ' “We regret we are unable to agree to. this manner of proceeding or depart from the position we have consistently maintained of having Canada’s right to representation at the inter-Allied Conference determined in .accordance with the precedent estab lished at Versailles and at Washington and confirmed by the 1923 conference resolution, which our Government fo-r----mally approved.” Further messages show an agreement to adopt the panel system. Speaking at Derby, the Secretary of State for. tlfe Colonies (Mr .J. H.

Tliomas) referred to the misunderstanding with Canada regarding her representation at the Allied Conference. He was glad the difficulties had been smoothed out. Canada and the other Dominions had not only accepted the situation, hut had made a real contribution towards a solution of the representation problem. The Government was determined to tackle the whole question of the representation of the Dominions at such a conference. He hoped during the autumn to confer with the Dominion delegates in London in order to find a permanent plan which would avoid misunderstanding and ensure a guarantee of the Dominions’ full status, prestige and right to participate in matters affecting their interests as well as Britain’s. HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. > LONDON, July 19. The Allied Conference committees have issued no communique, but the newspapers of all shades of opinion agree that the outlook is still hopeful. Some progress has been made in reference to the, most delicate and most, important issue, viz. the procedure in the event of the Reparations Commission declaring Germany in default. Th Daily Express states that Britain proposed that no sanction should be taken against Germany’s economic status until subscribers to the reparations loan were consulted through, the American Agent-General for reparations. France objected to this as giving America an undue preponderance. The Daily Express is of opinion that it is likely that the American suggestion for a compromise will he accepted. The proposal is to uive bondholders financial instead of political guarantee from the Allied Powers in the event of German default. who will hold themselves responsible for the provision of the interest of £2,000,000 annually due to bondholders. The delegates to the Allied Conference will visit the Empire Exhibition to-day and the chief delegates will spend the week-end with’ the Premier (Mir Ramsay MacDonald) at Chequers, his country residence. EXCELLENT PPROSPECTS. GOOD PROGRESS MADE. (Received Julv 21, 10 a.m.) LONDON, July 20. Various political circles agree that the committees of the Allied Conference which met to-day made unexpectedly good progress and practically completed agreements dealing with the procedure in the event of German default on the lines cabled, also governing the evacuation of the Ruhr.

, The Observer’s diplomatic correspondent says that the lattjer agree- . meat contemplates complete evacuation within twenty days after Germany puts the Dawes’ scheme into operation. The Sunday Express says that there are hopes that the Conference will prove the shortest and most successful ever held, and that all three committees present have agreed on their reports, which will be presented to the plenary session of the Conference on Monday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.