Washington Conference

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 238, 12 October 1921, Page 5

Washington Conference

NEW ZEALAND'S REPRESENTATIVE. APPOINTMENT OF SIR JOHN SALMOND, COMMENT IN HOUSE. (Special to “Tribune.” Wellington, Oct. 12. The Prime Minister made a statement to the House as to the New Zealand representative at the Washington Conference on disarmament. Mr Massey said the matter had been seriously considered by the Cabinet, and arrangements had been made which he thought would satisfy the people of this country. It was quite impossible for him to go, and it was also impossible for Sir Francis Bell to leave the country, though he was hound to admit that Sir Francis 801 l would have been a very fine representative for Now Zealand at such a conference. Sir F. D. Bell had stated definitely that he could not think of leaving his colleagues during the present session of Parliament. It would have boon a serious loss, not only to the Legislative Council, hut to Parliament ns a whole if he were to go. For other

reasons it was not desirable to send a member of the Government. The Government had therefore asked Sir John Salmond to represent New Zealand at Washington .and he had accepted the position. He was specially qualified •for the position. He was one of the best authorities in the Empire on constitutional law, and was known as a distinguished lawyer even on the other side of the world. The Hon. Hanan: Is the issue not disarmament? The Prime Minister said it was spoken of generally as a disarmament conference, and he had referred to it as such for want of a better name. He was absolutely certain’ that Sir John Salmond would strengthen the British delegation. Mr Witty: Would it not have been bettor to send a Minister? The Prime Minister said Ministers’ hands were very full and would continue so till after Christmas. Mr Sullivan: The appointments not a compliment to Parliament. The Prime Minister: Well, honourable members are entitled to their opinion. There will bp no more capable representative there than Sir John Salmond. Mr Witty: I believe that that is true, but I think at the same time it is infra dig. A Labour member asked if the Primo Minister would submit the appointment to a vote, as was done in the Commonwealth Parliament. The Prime Minister said he thought there would be very little difference of opinion so far as the House was concerned. He was sure a huge majority, would vote for sending Sir John Sal- ■ mo nd.

Mr Holland: Will he have power to make commitments?

The Prime Minister replied that ho would have no more power than any other .representative of Now Zealand. His power would be the same except that if the Primo Minister had gone it was generally understood that the Primo Minister Had power to speak for his country. He would have power, and this was really the point, to tell other members the point of view' of New Zealand especially on such questions as j defence. Sir John Salmond’s place on the Bench would be taken temporarily by ex-Judge Chapman, so that the business' of the court would not bo disorganised.