IN THE PACIFIC

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1937, Page 5

IN THE PACIFIC

CONFER. SPEECHES CAUSE INTEREST IN AMERICA. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, May 17. The “Sun’s” Melbourne correspondent says: “An early conference between the nations with interests in the Pacific Ocean is almost certain to he called by the British Government. It is probable that Australia will suggest Tokio as the venue for the- conference.

(United Press Association-—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright; NEW YORK, May 17. The speeches at the imperial Conference of the Australian Premier, Mr Lyons, and the Canadian Premier. Mr Mackenzie King, are widely featured in the newspapers of America. They have been received with the greatest interest in Washington, as an evidence that Mr Mackenzie King’s recent visit there is hearing fruit, and also that his efforts on behalf of the freer trade policies of President Roosevelt and Senator Hull are being given support by the Australian Premier thus greatly increasing the likelihood of the conversion of the other Premiers to the same view. Mr Lyons’ proposal for a Pacific Pact is regarded as opening up wide possibilities in the Pacific. Due, however, to the controversial nature of the subject, and to there being an insufficient outline of the proposal contained in the published despatches, the American official circles have refused to comment, at least until the receipt of the text of Mr Lyons’ speech, or fuller information as to just what is involved in the proposal.

NEW YORK PAPER’S COMMENT. NEW YORK, May 17. Tieferring to the Imperial Conference speeches, the “New York Times’’ in a leading article states: “Although the turning point in the world depression was reached five years ago, the volume of world trade is still at comparatively a low level. Prohibitive tariffs still prevent nations from profitably buying and selling each other's goods. The British Imperial Conference prompts the question of whether it is not time to renew the effort which failed at the 1933 world conference in London. Although a new conference is not necessary, and might even be hazardous, progress can ne made by negotiations whenever two or more Powers are willing to act together in the common interest. A trade agreement between Britain and the United States would open a wide breach in the tariff wall.”

Other newspapers have withheld any expressions of their views, due, principally, to the fact that the Conference speeches caught them during the week-end, which has also resulted in the unavailability of official comment in Washington. U.S. INTEREST (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 17. The “Times’ ” Washington correspondent says it is no exaggeration to say that the American Government attaches as much importance w> the Imperial Conference as any of the participants. The suggestion of a Pacific Pact is regarded as an aspiration rather than an immediately realistic programme.

U.S. VIEWPOINT AGAINST FURTHER ACTION (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON. May 17. The official reaction to Mr J. A. Lyons is cold and intimated that American experiences in the Ear Last during recent years have been so mixed that America would hesitate to venture another ambitious peace undertaking. It is insisted that the existing pacts particularly, the Kellog and Washington Agreements, if fully respected and applied to all signatories would he adequate. It admitted the Phillipine Independence Taw commits the United States to attempt to negotiate a neutrality pact with the Phillipines and discussions on this matter may later develop on broad and international aspects, bnt at present the trend both navally and politically appears to be against assuming any new defence responsibilities in the Pacific. Tt is believed not unlikely, for instance, that the United States might assume to guarantee the integrity of the Dutch Indies. It is pointed out that a myriad of problems are involved in maintaining peace in the Pacific, of which the ”e----cognition of Manchukuo would he sufti eient to upset any scheme.