Imperial Conference

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 256, 13 October 1923, Page 5

Imperial Conference

The League of Nations ENDORSED BY THE DELEGATES. AUSTRALIAN SUGGESTIONS. [By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.] London, Oct- 11. The afternoon session of the Imperial Confenenc© Was devoted to the speeches of the dominion Premiers on Lord Robert Cecil’s statement of the work of the League of Nations. The speeches, which will not be published until to-morrow, revealed the striking uHc*iiiuiiLj ui uiie Bivnuerg on uie necessity tor the existence of the League of Nations. It was felt on all sides that without such a body as an effective leash another conflict was almost inevitable in Europe, into which the dominions were bound to be drawn. On certain phases of the League’s efforts in regard to the recent European crisis, there was, however, quite frank criticism. The Conference is not likely to meet-to-morrow, a good part of the day being consumed at the Guildhall in connection with the ceremony of conferring th© freedom of the city on Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Bruc© and Mr. Mackenzie King. Two committees appointed by the Imperial Conference met to deal with Mr Bruce’s proposals. The first committee dealt specially with a subsidy to British agriculture and dominion producers, while the second considered the question of the grant of import licenses to discriminate against foreign goods. It is understood opposition developed early to both proposals, the practicability of which was questioned. The delegates have intimated that they do not intend to press the suggestions, which were only to be regarded as alternatives to tariff preference. It ig considered unlikely they will be recommended by the committee to the full meeting of the .erenoeThe Conference adjourned till Monday. Only committee work will b? done to-morrow. Various matters, including overseas settlement and the question of patents, were to-day by committees of the Economic Conference, which meets again in full session next week. Their Majesties entertained the members of the Conference with their ladies at a dinner at Buckingham Palace to-night.—(Reuter).