EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 193, 30 July 1932, Page 8

EMPIRE CONFERENCE

VITAL THAT IT SHOULD SUCCEED WHAT FAILURE WOULD MEAN, LORD HAILSHAM’S OPINION. Ottawa, July 28. Lord Hailsham, interviewed by an Ottawa newspaper, said that the conference was shaping like success. It was vital that it should succeed, “otherwise it means the breaking up of the Empire within my lifetime. If the Empire goes there is little hope for the world. We are now waiting to see what the dominions are prepared to do; then we can give our reply.”

Questioned as to whether Britain would give the full embargo on Russian wheat and timber which Australia and Canada were seeking, Lord Hailsham said she may not be able to do all that was asked, but she certainly could do something. Lord Hailsham denied that Mr Bennett had offered to mediate between the Free State and Britain. ‘‘What’s the use of mediating with a man like Mr de Valera, who told me he wants a Republic with Ulster, included. Ulster does not want to enter; therefore, Mr de Valera’s hope is impossible of achievement. Mr de Valera is really fighting for the shadow.”

BRITISH STATEMENT. SUPPORTED BY THE PRESS. London, July 29. The British statement at Ottawa is the leading feature in the newspapers. Editorials support its arguments, except the “Daily Express,” which continues highly critical of Mr Baldwin and declares that there is nothing in the statement except ancient history. “The Times” says: “The British statement at Ottawa was plainly necessary to remove misconceptions given wide currency and which might otherwise wreck the. conference Not only the delegates, but the dominion public should realise the facts of their trade with Britain. Probably an agreement will soon be reached now that it is known what the dominions and Brit-.i mutually desire.”

CAUSES FOR DIVISION. AMERICAN PRESS OPINION. New York, July 29. The “New York Times” says: “The chief of the Australian delegation at Ottawa demanded from Britain preferential treatment for Australian foodstuffs that would interfere seriously with the entry of Argentine meats and Danish dairy products. Britain is thus asked to sacrifice two of her best customers, despite having enormous interests in Argentine. Mark, too, that Australia, like other dominions, seeks industrial self-sufficiency and is bound to protect her manufactures. There is a multiciplicity of causes for division at Ottawa, not only between the dominions and the Mother Country, but between the dominions themselves.”

CANADIAN PACKING COMPANY. VISIT BY N.Z. DELEGATES. Ottawa, July 29. Mr J. G. Coates, Mr D. Jones, Sir Francis Boys and Mr Forsyth visited the Canadian Packing Company’s meat canning works on the outskirts of Ottawa and viewed all the processes. They were specially interested in the condition of live cattle after travelling 2000 miles from the west. They were not impressed with the quality of the sheep and lambs.