MUST SUCCEED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 9

MUST SUCCEED

VITAL CONFERENCE SINISTER ALTERNATIVE BREAK-UP OF EMPIRE BRITAIN AND IRELAND FUTILITY OF MEDIATION By Tolejri-iipli—Press Association— Copyright (Received .Tuly 20, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA. .Tuly 28 Viscount TTailsham, in an interview with a representative of an Ottawa newspaper, said (lie Empire Conference was shaping like success. It was vital that it should succeed, otherwise it would j mean the breaking up of 'ho Einpiie J within his lifetime. "If the Empire goes there is little hope j for the world," said Lord Ilailsham. , "We are now waiting to see what the j Dominions are prepared to do. Then wo j can givo our reply." Questioned as to whether Britain would give tho full embargo on Russian wheat and timber which Australia and Canada are seeking. Lord Hailsham said: We may not be able to do all that is asked, but certainly wo can do something. Lord Hailsham denied that Mr. R. B. Bennett had offered to mediato between the Irish Free State and Britain. "What is the use of mediating with a man like Mr. de Valora, who told me he wants a republic, with Ulster in it ? asked Lord Ilailsham. "Ulster does not want to enter, therefore Mr. de Valera's hope is impossible of achievement. Mr. de Valera really is fighting for a shadow." BRITISH STATEMENT - j COMMENT IN THE PRESS j THE GROUND CLEARED (Received July 29, 11.6 p.m.) LONDON, July 29 The British statement at Ottawa is the leading feature in tho newspapers editorial articles this morning. They support its arguments, except the Daily Express, which continues to be highly critical of Mr. Baldwin. This piipcr says there is nothing in the statement except old history. The Times says the statement plainly was necessary to remove misconceptions which had been given wide currency and might otherwise wreck the conference. Not only tho delegates but the public of the Dominions should realise the facts of their trade with Britain. Negotiation, probably agreement, will soon be reached now that it is known what the Dominions and Britain mutually desire. COMMITTEE WORK CUSTOMS MATTERS DR. CRAIG CHAIRMAN i (Received July 29, 5.5 p.in.) OTTAWA. July 28 Mr. N. C. Havenga (South Africa) and other Dominion Ministers presented the Empire Fruit proposals to Mr. t Walter Runciman, Sir John Gilmour and Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister to-day. The sub-committee on industrial standardisation elected ns chairman Dr. H. M. Tory, president of tho National Research Council of Canada. The aim is the coordination of industrial specifications throughout the Empire. The sub-committee already has discussed timber, chemicals and agricultural machinery. Dr. G. Craig, New Zealand Comptroller of Customs has been elected chairman of the Customs Administration sub-committee. An official verbal communique stated that the discussion to-day chiefly concerned valuation for duty purposes with a view to gaining uniformity and eliminating matters causing uncertainty. Two hundred journalists burst into laughter at the meagreness of this announcement, which was typically uninformative in accordance with tho official policy toward the world's press.