Dominion Leaders Arrive In London

Northern Advocate, 28 April 1944, Page 3

Dominion Leaders Arrive In London

(Rec. 1.15 p.m.f LONDON, April 27.

The New Zealand Prime Minister (Hon. P. Fraser) has arrived by air. The Canadian Prime Minister (Mr. MacKenzie King) arrived at an aerodrome near London this afternoon. He was accompanied by the Under-Secre-tary of State for External Affairs i(Mr. Robertson). Mr. MacKenzie King was given a great welcome. Among the large number of visitors to the aerodrome were Commander Thompson, representing the Prime Minister, the High Commissioner for Canada (Mr. Vincent Massey), representatives of Cabinet Ministers,’ and high Canadian officers. Mr. MacKenzie King said: “It is impossible to tell you the pleasure it gives me to be in Britain again. We are .solidly behind this great fight for freedom and will be in this fight to a finish. It has been a splendid journey and I am looking forward witli the deepest interest to sharing in the conferences of Premiers of the Commonwealth." Mr. Attlee announced in the House of Commons that Mr. MacKenzie King will address both Houses while in England. Vital Discussions Although no formal agenda has been drawn up for the forthcoming meeting of Empire Prime Ministers, the Associated Press understands that the United Kingdom and Dominions have already agreed that 'preliminary discussions will fall under the following main headings: (1) The immediate war situation. (2) Future conduct of the war against Germany and Japan. (3) Arrangements for post - war world settlement and security organisation. (4) Inter-Imperial policies on transport, including civil aviation, migration, education, defence, welfare and betterment and colonial peoples. It is most unlikely that the conference will announce formal decisions on any of these questions because some, which are of an international character, will be subject to future consultations between the United Nations and others will be remitted for examination by experts in the Dominions. The British Government attaches the most profound importance to the conference, for the reason that it will afford an opportunity to learn the views of the Dominions on post-war settlement, including the occupation of conquered enemy countries, so that Britain will be enabled to enter subsequent international discussions with a policy commanding the support of the whole Empire. Migration

One purely inter-imperial subject on which Britain hopes the conference will progress toward a decision is migration. The British Government believes migration, subject to Dominion approval, should begin in the immediate post-war period, when thousands of servicemen will be making a new start in life. It is also anxious to exchange views on the possibility of the'Dominions more closely associating themselves with colonial administration, preferably on lines of regional agreements for which the Canberra conference gave a lead. Churchill Seeks Information

Mr Churchill is not expected to submit to the conference any specific proposals for improved Imperial machinery, but is keenly interested in the conflicting views of Messi’sr Curtin and Mackenzie King in this connection. and is prepared to make such changes in the present consultative system as will meet the requirements of all Dominions.

Only the four Dominion Prime Ministers, Mr Churchill and Lord Cranborne will attend the regular sessions of the conference, which is not expected to last longer than three weeks, but the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia and Indian representatives who are visiting London will be called in during discussions affecting their respective countries. Nature Of A Cabinet The Prime Ministers’ Conference, which begins fairly shortly, will be completely informal, it is emphasised in authoritative quarters. It will be in the nature of a “Prime Ministers’ Cabinet” with the object of exchanging personal views on any subject they may care to raise. It is unlikely that the discussions will be very detailed or that rigid conclusions will be. reached, especially in regards to international subjects. It is hoped, in this respect, that the Prime Ministers will decide a general policy for His Majesty’s Government to follow in subsequent discussions with other countries, so that the Commonwealth will be speaking with one voice. It is expected that when such subjects are discussed, Mr Churchill and Mr Eden will sketch to the Prime Ministers the broad outlines of future policy as Britain sees it. Then an exchange of views will follow. It is expected that the talks in London will be followed by referring the most important subjects to the Dominion Parliaments. It is emphasised that the conference is private and “that no sensational announcements will be made.”

Obviously the conference is of the highest importance and is, in itself, a remarkable example of Commonwealth solidarity. It is expected that every Prime Minister will attend some important public function at which they will have an opportunity of making any pronouncement they desire. The conference will meet daily and is expected to last three or four weeks. High Commissioners are not likely to attend, but the Secretary for India (Mr L. S. Amery) will be present with the Indian representatives, Sir Firoz Khan Noon and the Maharajah of Kashmir, when subjects affecting India are discussed. Eire will not be represented since she is neutral, and the conference will be discussing the war. The Colonial Secretary will attend if colonial matters are being considered. It is also understood that, in .addition to subjects likely to be discussed, will be currency and the importance of Dominion publicity in Great Britain after the war. Mr Fraser has appointed Lieut. Robin Miller as Press officer. Lieut. Miller will be sending cables direct to Mr J. T. Paul, Director of Publicity, on Mr Fraser’s activities.