DELHI CONFERENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 31 December 1940, Page 5

DELHI CONFERENCE

EASTERN SUPPLY GROUP COUNCIL SELF-SUPPORT IN W ARTIME COMMON EFFORT FOR COMMON PURPOSE [British Official Wireless] I (Received 31st December, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, 30th December. As a result of the recent Delhi Conference an Eastern Supply Group Council will be set up to make British territory east and south of Suez self-sup- ; porting in wartime. “The Times” says: “The Permanent : Council will be composed of members nominated from India. Australia. New Zealand and South Africa. with a chairman from the United Kingdom. Meantime delegates are completing a survey ot the resources available. A Business Council will ensure that the most effective use is made of these resources. avoid overlapping, and see that the deficiencies of any country or group is made good by others. Great economy in the use of shipping and an Increased sojrce of supply should result. Figures put before the Conference show that India and the three Dominions concerned can supply most of the munitions and military equipment needed by the forces east of Suez and at the same time can contribute in ever-increasing volume to the requirements of the ; forces operating from Britain. Other | participating territories can augment j this expansion by supplying raw | materials. With so much already achieved, what is now needed is the intelligent direction of the common effort to serve the common purpose. In working out the plans for this and in supervising their application, the Council will be organising a form of economic cooperation invaluable in the work of reconstruction after the war, as well as helping to hasten the victory.”