Co-operation in Defence

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 274, 22 November 1934, Page 7

Co-operation in Defence

Sir Maurice Hankey Arrives for Conference

SIR GEORGE PEARCE ALSO TO ATTEND

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night

A visit that is expected to have an important bearing on New Zealand’s part in Empire defence is being made by Sir Maurice Hankey, secretary to the Imperial Committee of Defence, who arrived at Wellington from Sydney to-day by the Wanganefla. Sir Maurice will be in New Zealand for about a week. His principal object is to attend a two-day conference which will begin to-morrow in the Prime Minister’s quarters _in Parliament Buildings.

He is accompanied by Senator Sir George Pearce (formerly Minister of Defence in the Commonwealth Government and now Minister of External' Affairs and Territories), Mr A. E. Leighton (Commonwealth Controllerof Munitions) and Mr F. Shedden (Secretary to the Commonwealth Defence Committee).

In terviewed, Sir Maurice Hankey said he preferred not to comment on any aspect of his mission. Sir George Pearce remarked that the discussions between Sir Maurice Hankey and the Australian Government on Imperial defence had been most Valuable, and it was considered that the consultations to take place in Wellington would be of equal value. Among the problems to be discussed would be the question of co-operation and coordination between New Zealand and Australia in defence matters.

Welcome for Visitors WELLINGTON, Last Night. As a preliminary to the series of conferences to commence to-morrow morning with the New Zealand Cabinet on the question of Empire defence, Sir George Pearce and Sir Maurico Hankey had an informal talk with the Prime Minister (Bt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) and the Minister for Defence (Hon. J. G. Cobbe) this afternoon. Prior to this they were entertained at afternoon tea by Mr Forbes and met the other Ministers at present in Wellington—the Minister for Lands (Hon. E. A. Hansom), the Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. J. A. Young), and the Minister for Public Works (Hon. J. Bitchener). Sir Maurice Hankey and Sir George Pearce will be entertained at a Ministerial luncheon on Friday.

Sir Maurice will be leaving Wellington on his return to Great Britain early next week, but the stay of Sir George Pearce in the Dominion will be longer.