EMPIRE DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1937, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE

PLEA BY MR LYONS FOR LOWER TARIFF BARRIERS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph— Copyright;. LONDON, May 14. A plea for a regional understanding in the Pacific by the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr J. A. Lyons) and an appeal by the Prime Minister ot Canada (Air W. L. MacKenzie King) for the abatement of policies of economic nationalism and economic imperialism imply' tlr»t the conference- must tackle lower tariff barriers and seek an AngloAmerican understanding, and Mr Lyons’s virtual endorsement of it were the most striking pronouncements at to-day’s proceedings of the Imperial Conference.

The political correspondent of the Australian Associated Press understands that soundings taken in connection with a pact in the Pacific have been very favourable. It can be stated that President Roosevelt intimated his keenness in that regard and signified the United States readiness to cooperate in any such discussions. the Japanese also are most interested. It is gathered that the idea was inspired because Japan’s and America’s non-membprship of the League renders Geneva a - hopeless medium lor such a rapproachment. It is admitted , this coupled with the npn-rpcpgnition-of Manchukuo, would constitute serious obstacles . which cannot - be surmounted ill a night, but Mr Lyons believes that an understanding in the Pacific would be such a tremendous contribution to world peace, that these difficulties can be overcome.

Any .discussions regarding it must dearly be bound up with trade questions, since Japan is anxious for trade negotiations with the ... Empire, while the United States also seeks trade bargains' as part of a political agreement.

Air MacKenzie King fulfilled the cabled prophecies that one of his missions, perhaps the principal one to the conference, is the role of President Roosevelt's unofficial spokesman. It can now he said that the conference- is confronted with a full discussion on low tariffs in accordance with Mr Mackenzie King’s declaration that the conference “has a definite responsibility to lessen in every practicable way, barriers to international trade.’’

Referring to the Pacific, Mr Lyons said that Australia would greatly welcome a regional understanding and a pact of non-aggression. by countries in the Pacific conceived in the spirit of the principles of the League. “Toward the achievement of such a pact we are prepared to collaborate with all other peoples in the Pacific in a spirit of understanding and sympathy,” ho added.

Speaking of defence, Mr Lyons said: “The Dominions have the great good fortune to be members of the British Commonwealth, the main source of whose military, financial and economre strength is the United Kingdom ; but to receive wo must be prepared to give. Australia, therefore 1 subject to the sovereign control of her own policy, and without prior commitment, stands for co-operation in defence between the members of the British Commonwealth and she has adopted the guiding principles laid down at the Imperial Conferences as the basi s of her policy- for co-operation in Empire naval defence and for her own defence.

Outlining Australia’s implementation of her defence, Mr Lyons said that the naval principles provided for the maintenance of an adequate naval strength, the provision of liases, and facilities for repairs and fuel. Since -the establishment of a Royal Australian Navy, in 1910, Australia had spent £70,000,000 on naval defence.