PACIFIC SHIPPING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 27 March 1936, Page 5

PACIFIC SHIPPING

CONFERENCE IN LONDON AUSTRALIA AND GREAT BRITAIN PROGRAMME FOR NEGOTIATIONS (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy right) (Received 27tli March, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, 201 h March. The Australian Ministers the Hon. R. G. Menzies, and the Hon. Earle Page, and Mr Stanley Bruce, High Commissioner, met Mr Walter Runciman, President of thy Boa'd of 'J rade, Mr Malcolm Mac Donall. Secretary of State for the Dominions. Lord Swinton, Minister of Air, and the Marquess of Hartington, Under-Secretary for tho Dominions in the House of Commons, the chief object being to lay down a programme for negotiations, but some progress was made in the Pacific shipping question. The Hons. Page and Menzies pleading its urgency. It is understood that New Zealand may desire special representation, in which case a full conference could not begin for six weeks. It would 'be possible, however, to begin earlier with Sir James Parr, High Commissioner, acting tor New Zealand. PRIME MINISTER’S HOPE TRADE AGREEMENT AND DEFENCE (By Telegraph) (From "The" Mail’s” Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, This Day. It is not the intention of the Government to send a Minister to London in company with Australian Ministers to discuss air mails and pacific shipping, according to a statement made to-day (o “The Mail’s” Parliamentary correspondent by the Prime Minister (the Hon. M. J. Savage). He said lie understood that two Ministers were going to London from Australia on other business and no doubt the air mail position would be discussed. For any conference on these questions the High Commissioner would be instructed by and act for the New Zealand Government. The Prime Minister repeated his desire that there should be a conference of Empire representatives that would consider all questions affecting the Empire, including trade agreements and matters of defence. He thought that the occasion of the Coronation would he a suitable time for Dominion Prime Ministers to meet in London. He intimated that although Cabinet had not yet discussed the matter, it felt that he himself should visit London at that time. The Prime Minister said that it was possible that there might he evolved from preliminary discussions, a permanent body representing various units of the British Commonwealth of Nations, eacli representative being in constant touch with his respective Government. He stressed the point that the New Zealand representative, whether he were the High Commissioner or representative of an Empire Council should speak for the Government.