LIMITATION OF NAVIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20241, 29 April 1929, Page 11

LIMITATION OF NAVIES.

SUGGESTED CONFERENCE.

PROPOSAL" FOR NEXT YEAR.

OPINION IN UNITED STATES.

HOPES OF AN AGREEMENT.

Australian Press Association—United Service (Received April 28. 6.5 p.m.) LONDON. April 27.

A message from Geneva says the British and Japanese delegations to the Preparatory Disarmament Commission have received instructions to ensure that a special effort shall bo made this session lo agree to a future naval disarmament conference. Probably this will bo held at Washington in 1930. A despatch from New York says the Washington correspondent of the New York Times slates that reports from Geneva that tlio representatives of the live great naval Powers have suggested to their Governments that a five-Power separate conference to consider a reduction in naval armaments should be held this summer are not confirmed at tho capital. Nevertheless tho situation which is growing out of Mr. Gibson's proposals is considered to be very satisfactory. Officials believe it is yet too early to expect any definito move to bo made toward an actual practical reduction in the fleets, but Mr. Gibson's proposals have met with such an enthusiastic reception at the hands of the statesmen of tho nations concerned that there is every reason to hope for some action toward a naval armament reduction agreement before tho 1931 Washington Conference.

It seems to be the desire of the Hoover Administration that the five great naval Powers should take part in such a conference, but it is believed that the success or failure of further efforts toward a reduction depend chiefly on the attitude of Britain and the United States.

The aspect of recent assurances that no war can come between theso two countries is considered to be cf para-

mount importance. A British official wireless message says the Home Secretary, Sir William Joynsonliicks, speaking at a meeting at Hounslow, spoke of the need for a general reduction of land and sea forces. "If we can get rid of great armaments we can do more to secure peace even than by the pacts we have signed," said Sir William.

The minister said the British Government had warmly welcomed the declaration of the United States in favour of a reduction of naval armaments, and would do all it could to support America's views.

WHAT BKITAIN WANTS.

ALL-ROUND REDUCTION. CHAMBERLAIN'S STATEMENT. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received April 29, 12.35 a.UI.) LONDON, April 28. Sir Austen Chamberlain, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in a speech at Nostel Priory, said Britain not only desired a partial limitation of certain classes of warships, but wanted the reduction applied throughout the whole field of naval construction.