Getting Together on Defence Measures

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 6

Getting Together on Defence Measures

BRITAIN, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND CONFER

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. One of the most important conferences ever held in New Zealand began in Parliament Buildings to-day, when representatives of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand discussed questions relating to t*.e defence of the Pacific and other problems of mutual interest. The conference, which is expected to extend over a week at least, is meeting in private. Several rooms have been set aside for use by delegates, advisers and other officials. Every precaution is being taken to see that only authorised persons gain access to these rooms and the immediate precincts are closely guarded. The personnel of the conference totals 62. This number includes secretariats and advisers attached to three delegations and typists taking the official record of proceedings. The conference is using the whole of tho top floor of the new wing of Parliament Buildings as well as several rooms on the floor immediately below, lne stairway leading to the upper floor and approaches to the rooms arc closely guarded by police and orderlies, while an all-night guard was maintained over the conference room to-night. All attending the conference are equipped with identity cards and none but authorised persons are admitted. The following official statement was issued at the conclusion of to-day's conference proceedings, late in the afternoon: “The conference was opened by his Excellency, the Governer-General, at 10 a.m. Subsequently the Prime Minister was appointed chairman and Hon. P. Fraser deputy chairman. Mr. Savage welcomed the delegates and speeches in reply were made by Sir Harry Batterbeo and by Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, leaders of the United Kingdom and Australian delegations respectively. The conference then proceeded to consideration of its agenda and discussion will be resumed tomorrow morning.”