LINKS OF EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 9

LINKS OF EMPIRE.

COMMUNICATION DEFECTS.

SLUGGISH MAIL SERVICES.

'MR. MASSE • COMPLAINT.

LESSON OF HOME TRIP.

DEMONSTRATION, OF DELAYS By Telegraph— Association— Copyright. (Received 12.30 a.m.) Renter LONDON. Oct. 16. The afternoon session of the Economic Conference heard a statement by the Postmaster General, Sir L. Worthington Evans, dealing with the unsatisfactory situation of Imperial mail, cable, and wireless communications.

During tho ensuing discussion Mr. W. F. Massey warmly complained of the sluggish transportation of mails between New Zealand and. the Mother Country. He said that he recently accomplished the journey in 27i travelling days, whereas the mails were rarely transported under 35 days and often tho period 1 was 40 days. He believed that delays chiefly occurred at points of connection. Mr. Massey was asked to confer with the British Postmaster-General.

It was resolved: Firstly, that representatives of the Dominion and India should be associated with the Imperial Communications Committee, which hitherto has been a solely British body; and secondly, that all support should bo accorded to British companies in connection with Empire wireless concessions. Sir L. Worthington Evans announced the Government had rejected a proposal to revert to an Italian port of transhipment of tho Eastern mail, on the ground that it was doubtful whether the step would result in acceleration and alternatively, any acceleration would bo insufficient to compensate for tho very heavy additional cost. He paid a tribute to the improvement of the Eastern Cable Service, by which the pre-war efficiency had now been restored. ■ All important destinations in India and Australia could now be reached on an average in three or four hours. IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

VALUABLE RESEARCH WORK.

MR. MASSE ADVOCACY. Australian and N Z. Cable Association. fßte"d 9.30 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 16. The ouestion of co-operation for technical research between the Mother Country and the Dominions was discussed at the Economic Conference to-day, also the future of the Imperial Institute. It was decided to submit the whole question of the institute to a committee for investigation and . report. It appeared at first as if th© fate of the institute was in the balance, but as the debate developed, particularly in regard to the potentialities of its research work, it seemed likely that it would secure a renewed lease of life. Mr. Massey emphasised its value in research, and pointed out that its work in this respect was only beginning to become understood. He added that after the Empire Exhibition had closed the institute could rely on receiving a valuable accession to its permanent exhibition, illustrating the most recent productive possibilities of tho Dominions.

FINANCIAL PREFERENCE

INVESTMENTS IN ' DOMINIONS.

DIFFERENTIAL TAXATION.

Australian and N.Z. CaMe Association. ORecd. 0.5 P.m.) LONDON. Oct. 16.

At the conference of the National Unionist Association to.be held ■week Mr. Edward Duveen -will move that, in order to develop the resources of the Empire and in view of the necessity of finding productive employment for our surplus population, the conference urges the Government to make provision for preferential treatment of British capital invested within the Empire. by imposing lower income tax and death duties than on similar investments in foreign countries, and that . the Government submit thirl proposal to the Imperial Conference with a view to consideration and elaboration of reciprocal measures by the Dominions.'

Disclaimers are given to the suggestion that there is any definite understanding between members of the British Cabinet and Dominion Prime Ministers ■ concerning the tariff reform . campaign.

The Prime Ministers are emphasising that they are entitled only to endeavour to enlighten the public in Britain regarding the great potentialities of overseas countries. They may offer personal opinions as to how development is feasible, but they aTe not attempting to interfere with Home politics.

There is another aspect of preference which may be said to have definitely advanced as a consequence of Mr. Bruce's visit. It is stated on reliable authority that Mr. Bruce had cordial conversations with Mr. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, which may lay the foundation for detailed understandings concerning fiscal relations between Australia and Canada . The matter will bo further developed while / Mr. Bruce < is visiting Canada.

LOSS OF NATIONALITY.

BRITISH WIVES OF ALIENS. Router. LONDON. Oct.' 16. An important meeting of the committee of the Imperial Conference appoinwa to deal with naturalisation discussed: the nationality of British women married to aliens. No recommendation has yet been submitted to the conference, but there is reason to believe the committee will recommend that women shall continue to take the nationality of the husband, except in the case where the married state lias practically come to an end, when the woman should be enabled to resume her British nationality. .

The Overseas Settlement Committee is considering a variety of suggestions. For example,-. the starting of training schools in Britain for intending emigrants; alro a suggestion that .schoolboys be apprenticed for- three years to farmers in' the land of their.-adoption. .