IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 2 July 1921, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

ANGLO-JAPANESE TREATY,

FEELING FAVOURS RENEWAL,

»V CABLB—PRKB9 ASSOCIATION—COPY RHiflX Beoeived July 2, 9.10 a.m. LONDON, June 30. . r" When the Conference resumed today it was clear that Mr. Hughes had * majority with him regarding the necessity for the renewal of the AngloJapanese treaty. ■ Mr. Massey epoke strongly in favour of signing and said New Zealand's interests were in common with those of the Commonwealth. He had already told Parliament that in his opinion it was advisable to support the renewal, with, whatever consequential modifications might be necessary. What he had heard at the Conference and Mr. Hhghes' speech confirmed that opinion. General Smuts .said the League of Nations would succeed, but he.was not inclined to disregard the Empire's needs. If the Empire would gain an advantage by the renewal he was for renewal. . Mr. Cutch spoke for the first time, ranging himself, behind Mr. Hughes and declaring that it was most desirable for all concerned that the treaty should be renewed on lines acceptable to the Empire and Japan, and, he hoped, America. ../'".. Mr. Lloyd George summarised the Imperial point of view immediately before adjournment and continues his ad r dress on Friday. - There was no truth whatever; he said, in the.rumour that the British Government proposed postponing the renewal to give an opporKunity to the Prime Ministers to conLBult their Parliaments. -The practically unanimous expression of opinion at the Conference favours proceeding uninterruptedly. One delegate remarked, after the adjournment, that the^big battalions were on the side of renewal. Mr. Hughes carried.- the -day at the Conference by his eloquence and sound argument. When Mr. Lloyd George completes his address, preliminary views on naval policy will be presented by the British and Dominion representatives. This is expected to last a week. It appears likely ibhat this exchange of views will end the matter, since Mr. Hughes announces his departure on July/21. Messrs Hughes and Massey propose forcing the- issue, but are unlikely to repeat their success'at the treaty discussion. Canada. Africa, and India are riot keen to spend money to support naval defence, which, in their view, benefits particularly Australia and New Zealand.