Australia’s Premier Cuts Gordian Knot Formality

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3493, 1 November 1926, Page 9

Australia’s Premier Cuts Gordian Knot Formality

Delegates Confer Unhampered By Red-tape Conventions

Intimate Exchange of Viewpoint Best Solvent of Difficulties

Mr Bruce is reported to have done an incalculable service to the Empire in bringing about, with strong Australian common-sense an intimate atmosphere at the Imperial Conference, enabling the Premiers, unhampered by formality, to discuss freely the difficulties of their respective countries — difficulties which treated openly, appear not insoluble.

[By Electric Cable—Copyright.—Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.!

(Received Sunday 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 30. When the history of the Imperial Conference comes to be written, it will be found that Mr Bruce played a most useful part in getting down to a more intimate exchange of viewpoints. After he was instrumental in having foreign relations submitted to Mr Balfour’s suh-committee, it was found that the sub-iommittee, through tne attendance of so many Under-Secre-taries and legal advisers, was really more unweildy than the Conference itself. It is understood that Mr Bruce pointed out that this neutralised all the virtues of a round table discussion .and asked if it would not be possible to leave the Prime Ministers to themselves, so that they might have really a frank chat. The object was achieved to-day, and it was generally felt that it had done a vast amount of good. Bogey of National Status Laid For example, much was said to show that the issue of National Status, was not really an issue at all; that while there was varying opinions as to degree, there was nothing seriously divergent as to fundamentals. Today’s family “talk” is described as having greatly cleared the way to complete understanding in this connection. Interesting messages are coming back from South Africa quoting General Hertzog’s declaration that there is no difference of opinion about status; rather is it a question of the necessity of .communication of Imperial relationship to the outside world. Real Difficultos to Ovcrcc - ’"'. From the most authoritative quarter has come to-night the following sum. ming-up of the discussion: “Though the atmosphere has become most friendly, offering a bright prospect of agreement on the most difficult subject Of inter-imperial relations, this should not be taken to mean that there has not been any discordant notes. So,me of the Dominions never tad difficulties over this particular problem. Their policy for many years had shown no deviation, whatever political party was in power. They stood consistently in good times and in had times, for Imperial unity. With them it had never been a question of finding Imperial connections irksome. On the other hand, some Dominions, like South Africa, and the Irish Free State, owing in the former case to local political and racial atmosphere, and In the latter case to their peace with the Hothcr-land being very recent, and their memories of the bitter events preceding the Irish Treaty still poignant, it could not be expected that they would attain complete harmony with the Mother-land all in a minute, but when the Empire family meet together, they soon discover that their dissonance is only skin deep, and that it is only due to themselves trailing red herrings across the track of Empire Solidity. When they come to meet together as equals with all their Empire partners, they realise that their dissonance rest upon the most slender foundations. Though these differences may have seemed large and serious enough when at home, they appear from London, reduced as when viewed through the wrong end of a telescope.

PERIODIC COLD-STORAGE STOCK-TAKING. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 30. There seems to be no serious opposition to the suggestion made by the Economic sub-commlttce for a compulsory periodic notification of quantities of goods in cold store, though it is admitted that it must cover both British and Dominion ports. The adpotion of a similar idea in regard to wool stocks, was less favourably viewed at present, because it might react to the disadvantage of the Dominions, especially Australia and New Zealand, through -undue enlightenment of speculators.

SECRET SESSIONS OF CONFERENCE. PUBLICITY WOULD HAMPER DISCUSSIONS. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 29. Col. Amcry, in the course of his wireless broadcast review at the Imperial Conference, pointed out they had assembled under the deep impression of unveiling a Tablet to the Empire million dead, resulting in a feeling that the Conference must live up to tho ideals for which those men died. Foreign Affairs were discussed in camera, “not because British policy has a single aim or motive which it is desired to conceal, or any other aim than the promotion _of peace. Tho proceedings of tho session had been kept private only because it was felt that publication would restrict free and unhampered discussion.” . Sir Austen Chamberlain’s review revealed the position of Europe and the world as far more peaceable and more promising thin when the 1923 Conference mot, a state of affairs to which Britain contributed in no small share. Similar reasons actuated the decision to keep the defence discussion secret. This session was most important, revealing a greater desire than ever before for real Empire co-operation in defence. Tho Conference Is doing an immense amount of useful work .and there need bo no hesitation in forecasting that when it is finished, it will be found that it has been no less useful than any of its predecessors.

GERMANY AGAIN IN POTENTIAL DANGER. WORKING THROUGH. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. (Received Sunday, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 31. The “National Review’’ deplores the studied indifference with which it declares the Dominion Governments, Parliaments and peoples, have hitherto regarded international problems, affecting them as much as Britain. The “Review” adds: “Just as Germany woke, up the British Empire in 1914, so she may again when she gets busy in the League of Nations, and presses for the return of Gorman Colonies. Public opinion in Britain needs all the reinforcement obtainable from Britons oversea, in gingering up the Imperial Government to resist German ambitions in Africa, the Pacific, Asia Minor, and other places where they clash with British interests. The best way to preserve peace is to direct. German activities to South America, where it would only be a question of commercial, not. political or administrative development.” REPLY TO LEAGUE OF NATIONS. MANDATE Q UESTIONAI Kb RESENTED. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 30. The sub-oommittco oa mandates, agreed that in addition to composite objection to the League of Nations' new questionnaire, and other suggested innovations, each mandatory power should send its own repiy to the League, based largely on Britain’s strong memorandum already delivered to tlie League. BRITAIN’S FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE. DOMINIONS’ SHARE OF NAVY COST. (Received Sunday, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 31. The members of the Conference spent a most valuable morning at the Admiralty, hearing the most secret views on the world’s Hoots and strategy. Though every one at the Conference recognises that Japan is no longer the, force to bo reckoned with that, she was before her recent troubles, no one has yet said so In actual words, but the naval view i." hat the alteration of outlook in con-

Tribute to Lord Balfour. In this connection, the highest tribute is paid to Lord Balfour’s tact in handling the situation which In clumsier hands might have become delicate, “He is experienced a masterhand on such occasions,” said one observer,” and you will And wo will all be brought together. It is certain the greatest common measure of agreement in essentials will yet be found.” VARIOUS COMMITTEES AT WORK. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 29. The Imperial Conference met at the Admiralty and discussed naval defence. The Economic Committee considered the advisability of obtaining a complete record of goods in cold storage. The Workmen's Compensation subcommittee considered the position of non-resident workmen, dependents of seamen, and aliens under various Empire compensation laws, and the question of reciprocal arrangemc'vis between parts of the Empire.

sequence of those tilings has not changed. The main fact is that the Pacific Ocean, and not the North Sea is now the most vital area from the viewpoint of the Empire’s naval strategy. It is understood that the discussions reached a stage of considering sharing portion of the burden of naval defence amongst the Dominions. even lo the extent or an examination of the form their contributions should lake, but no decision teas reached.