STRENGTH OF THE RATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18521, 4 October 1923, Page 9

STRENGTH OF THE RATION.

HELP FOR THE WEAKER.

EVOLVING NEW DESTINIES.

DEEP i DESIRE FOR ; PEACE:

By Telegrj.ph—Press Association— Copyright. A. and N.Z. . LONDON. Oct. 2. The Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, at .the opening of the Imperial Conference, said the economic condition ; of, Europe made it essential; to turn one's eyes elsewhere. The resources of the Empire were boundless, * and the need for rapid development was clamant. •Ho trusted they would not separate before an agreement was reachedfirst, on the steps to create in the not too distant, future an ample supply of those raw materials on which the trade of the world depended. Population necessarily ■ followed such extension, and that in turn led lo a general - expansion of business, from which alone could come improvement in the material condition of the people. '■ Referring to India's special problems, Mr. Baldwin said he was convinced they might look confidently to co-operation. They must" not rely on the peoples of India, but on the Dominion Governments.

Surveying the situation in Europe, Mr. Baldwin said • the size of armies and the money spent on munitions was greater than in 1914. ' Economic solidarity had been rent asunder. Was it not amazing that all efforts should not be directed to reconstruction ? His only consolation was to recall the history of the past and reflect on the unity of our own Empire. The deep and jniversal desire of our people was for peace. ! Mr. Baldwin in this connection referred to the growing international moral sense revealed at the proceedings of the League of Nations, and to the existence of a powerful friend of peace in the United States. f Finally the league of nations, in whose name they had assembled,, namely, the British Commonwealth, was far greater, as General ' Smuts once truly said, than any Empire which had ever existed, a dynamic system growing and evolving all the time toward new destine* The Empire was natural and spontaneous. It could produce not only its own necessities, but those of mankind. •'." Before me," said the Prime Minister, "I see men who together can speak for the world Commonwealth, containing one-quarter of mankind. Like a network of steel embedded in concrete, this Commonwealth ■ holds more than . itself together. Dissolve these ties and civilisation itself would collapse. We stand here on an equal, footing. Not a Government present can bind the rest. Wo can act with effect so far as we agree no further; -but we. shall achieve an agreement and so strengthen the bonds uniting us only as far as each of the allies is seeking buw to relieve, not only their own difficulties and troubles, but those of a distracted world.; " The British Empire cannot live for itself alone. . Its strength as a Commonwealth of nations will grow so far as we unite to bear the burdens of those who are . weaker and less fortunate than ourselves.",.; '

DOMINIONS' VIEWPOINTS.

HOPE OF DEFINITE ACTION.

FREE STATE CO-OPERATION.

A. and N.Z.—Reuter. ; LONDON, Oct. 2. Mr., ;W. L. _ Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, emphasised Canada's desire to help, in .solving the common problems. He lard' great emphasis on the advantage of publicity in f giving the Dominions' Parliaments and peoples •■ the fullest information. He -i heartily endorsed Mr. Baldwin's desire that the conference I contribute to the peace and justice of the world. ":.:t\: . .'•'"■'''' !

Mr. 'Massey. said he did not intend at I present to comment on matters to which ] Mr. Baldwin'•/had referred in a very clear and very exhaustive statement, because he thought better, arid more suitable opportunities would offer later. ' He hoped before the Conference ended, "they would be able to do something definite and satisfactory in the way of solving as many as possible of the problems that had arisen during the last few years. He joined Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Mackenzie King in welcoming the new members to the Confer-, ence. He had no doubt they would .be able to ;do good work, and as one of the older members he said, he and General Smuts would be very, pleased to have their assistance in many matters that would be certain to-be brought before them during the next six weeks or two months.': _ ;i;General. J. ,C. Smuts, Prime Minister of South Africa, ... particularly welcomed the Irish delegates, whose presence showed what goodwill could? effect. He urged that the Conference without threats, • should speak with a voice that would be listened to in affairs, of a world Empire, and that it would exert ; its enormous influence to the full to assist the settlement in Europe.

, General Smuts further urged - the necessity of supporting the League of Nations, which" had come with credit ' and a strengthened position out of the Italian crisis. ' He/was of opinion that without any revolutionary departure from England's settled fiscal policy, much could be done to foster' inter-Empire : trade. He hoped ■ 'the Conference would register- a great ; advance in that .direction. Naturally it would take many ■;. years before the Empire could take the place of Europe in Britain's. trade. Ho pointed out that the outer : Empire also needed the re establishment of 'trade with Europe. Mr. W. T. Cosgrave. President -of : the Irish Dail, emphasised/ the Irish delegates' good faith and an earnest desire : to solve tho problems. They. were'■.prepared to shoulder the common burdens. ; He said he was glad Mr. Massey had . been able to come. He knew, he had to'face great difficulties in coming. ■ ; However, he triumphed as he had ';; always done. '. ; " Mr. W. Warren, Minister, for Justice, in Newfoundland, in thanking Mr. Massey for his reference to the new delegates, said "We all know that among the Dominion Prime Ministers he is father to us all, and, sitting as I do. so close to him, I /hope ; I may learn. from him how to acquire the title to Prime Ministership by prescription."