DEFENCE PARLEYS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 234, 31 August 1940, Page 7

DEFENCE PARLEYS.

AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA. DENIAL FROM WASHINGTON. WASHINGTON, Aug. 30. The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) stated that the question of the extension to Australia of negotiations between Canada and the United States on Western Hemisphere defence had not occurred in any of his conversations within the Government so far. Senator Pepper- strongly endorsed the suggestion of an extension of defence co-operation to Australia. Informed circles believe that some members of the Administration have seriously discussed collaboration with Australia, particularly in the event of Britain being subjugated, but even those who are convinced that the United States’s security is bound up with the preservation of the Empire are likely to be very cautious in connection with this question. " ' CONSCRIPTION BILL.

In the House of Representatives the Military Committee, by 17 votes to 4, approved the Conscription Bill in a form providing conscription for men between the ages of 21 and 45, thus conflicting with the Senate’s limit of 21 to 31. A minority report of eight members of the House Military Affairs Committee-denounced the Bill, asserting that it would destroy the American form of government and lead to a totalitarian military economy. The Senate has passed the 5,128,000,-000-dollar Defence Bill which contains funds to start a two-ocean navy and construct 18,421 warplanes. The Bill will now return to the House for its concurrence and amendments. The Justice Department has revealed plans to remove 451 members of the crew of the scuttled German liner Columbus from the Angel Island immigration station to a secluded inland spot, first because of allegations of Fifth Column activity and, secondly, because of crowded quarters at the station.