PROBLEMS IN ABEYANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18355, 22 March 1923, Page 6

PROBLEMS IN ABEYANCE

IMPERIAL CO-ORDINATION.

DEFENCE AND TARIFFS.

URGENCY OF CONFERENCE.

[BY TE*^»KAPH. —SPECIAL UEPOS.TER.I TE PUKE, Wednesday. The importance of Empire affairs as viewed in the light of the new status of nationhood won by the Dominions was discussed on several occasions to-day by Mr. Massey in the Tauranga district. The Prime Minister drew attention to the political difficulties of several governments in the Oversea Dominions and pointed out that the prospect of an Imperial Conference in London this year was now rather remote. He thought this was very unfortunate and claimed the right to express that opinion without advancing any personal interest. " Some arrangements must be made," Mr. Massey said, " to come together in conference. It is clear that interest in Empire affairs is beginning to flag, and that many matters of great importance are being neglected. This is to be regretted." He did not know when the Prime Minister of Australia would be able to go to London, or. whether the New Zealand Prime Minister, whoever he might be, would be able to go. There were difficulties also in South Africa. Yet the affairs of the Empire called for consideration by representatives of its five Dominions and 43 Crown colonies, and its vast population of 450,000,000. There was the question of defence to begin with. Was it going to be land defence or naval defence, or both Personally, he was inclined to favour the maintenance of sea power, and particularly the development, if necessary, of commerce protection. It was essential to maintain the Empire's naval power in adequate strength which did not by any means' involve the adoption of an aggressive policy. Indeed, the policy of the British Empire had never been aggressive. It had always been defensive in aim and practice. Mr. Massey said he had been in complete agreement with the decisions of the Washington Conference on navy power and had noted with satisfaction that America had adopted the view that the British Dominions had a right to collective representation. This -had been his own argument for a long time, and he was naturally pleased to see effect given to it on such an important international occasion. _ New Zealand had been admirably and efficiently represented at that conference by Sir John Salmond. The conference had agreed to an increase in naval protection of commerce, provided the new ships were limited as to armament and technical equipment Then, in adidtion to Empire defence, there were requiring consideration very important questions concerning wireless communication between the different parts of the Empire, and preferential trade within- the Empire on a more extensive scale than that existing which only represented a very limited adoption of a desirable principle. All these questions required very serious consideration, and any action that might be taken ought to represent the deliberate thought and counsel of the united Empire. The great thing, concluded Mr. Massey, was to maintain the unity of Empire and strive in every possible way to secure united action on many matters of Empire interest. (Applause.)