Empire Food and Munitions

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 124, 27 May 1937, Page 7

Empire Food and Munitions

Special Committee to be Set Up IMPERIAL CONFERENCE DECISION United P* ess Association—Bv Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, May 25. The Australian Associated Press’ political correspondent learns that, as a sequel to a plan largely initiated by the Rt. Hon. J. A. Lyons and Sir Archdale Parkhill, a permanent Imperial organisation will be established to create machinery for pooling and exchanging munitions and foodstuffs. This machinery will be organised so as to be ready for instant operation in the event of conflict involving any part of the Umpire. Sir Thomas Insltip, the British Minister of Defence, will be appointed chairman and convener.

The plan should in nowise be confused with the co-ordinating of defence programmes or the evolution of a common defence policy for the Empire, as no attempt has been made to reach agreement on such questions; moreover the Dominions are disinclined to commit themselves to this extent. However, agreement has been reached on all matters of principle while full agreement will quickly be reached in connection with the "interchange of supplies by which each Dominion will be enabled to contribute in kind towards Empire defence from its existing individual resources.

It ds expected that Australia, iu addition to manufacturing munitions for its own forces, will undertake to expand production to enable the supplying of explosives to Singapore, the Far East and New Zealand, in addition to ensuring that food supplies will be available.

It is clear that Australia led the other Dominions, in the defence discussion. Sir Archdale Parkhill's speech, although much longer than the others, showed the Commonwealth's real grip on the situation and deeply impressed the delegatee. This, however, represent* only one phase of the defence deliberations, concerning which important discussions are occurring outside of the conference between the Dominion Defer"' Ministers and experts with Britain’s Chiefs of Staff.

The results of these discussions will not appear an the minutes of the conference and will not be disclosed to th» public. To-day's deliberations were held at No. 10 Downing Street, Mr Stanley Baldwin presiding. The New Zealand, South African and Indian representatives expounded their respective Dominion viewpoints, and Sir Thomas Inskip followed with a further brief Statement, after which it was agreed to establish a committee "to consider questions of mutual interest in the supply: and production of munitions, war materials and foodstuffs.”

Mr A. Duff-Cooper, Minister of War.’ then outlined Britain’s measures to bring the organisation and equipment’ of her Regular and Territorial armies up-to-date. It is understood that he intimated that recruiting for a Regular Army, though improved, was still far below requirements, but there was a great improvement over the Territorials strength in March, which was a record month.

Lord Swinton, Minister for Air, followed with a corresponding statement on the Royal Air Force, indicating that the position had improved regarding the output of machines, though it was still somewhat below schedule. The heads of the delegations will reassemble to-morrow in connection with defence, when tho naval position will be outlined. After this the major defence discussions will have been, concluded.

Questions of defence will then remain with the committees until the plenary meeting decides on its defence resolutions at the end of the conference