Empire’s Defence Problem

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 123, 26 May 1937, Page 6

Empire’s Defence Problem

CONSIDERATION BY IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. (British Official Wireless). RUGBY, M*y 24. The fifth meeting of the principal delegates to the Imperial Conference took place in the Prime Minister’s room at the House of Commons this afternoon, when consideration of the question of defence was begun. J. A. Lyons (Australia) presided. The discussion was opened by the Minister for Co-ordination of Defence, Sir Thomas Inskip, who was followed by Mr lan Mackenzie, Minister of National Defence for Canada, and Sir Archdale Parkhill, Minister for Defence of Australia. Mr Stanley Baldwin was unable to attend owing to another engagement, and Mr W. L. Mackenzie King (Canada) was absent owing to a slight cold. The question of defence being unde'r consideration, Lord Swinton, Secretary for Air, and Mr A. Duff Cooper, Secretary for War, attended, but owing to a slight indisposition Sir Samuel Hoare, First Lord of the Admiralty, was not present. Sir Thomas Inskip spoke for nearly an hour and gave a comprehensive survey of the defence problems, and outlined the policy of the United Kingdom Government.

Mr Mackenzie and Sir Archdale Parkhill each dealt with problems from sheir respective points of view. The meeting, which lasted for about two hours, was adjourned until to-mor-row morning, when speeches will be made on behalf of New Zealand, South Africa, and India.