QUESTIONS OF MOMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10961, 25 July 1921, Page 5

QUESTIONS OF MOMENT

BRITAIN’S NAVAL DEFENCE DOMINION PARLIAMENTS TO BE CONSULTED. THE PACIFIC PROBLEM. By Telesxapli—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received July 24, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 23. The delegates to the Imperial Conference re-assembled to-day. The morning sitting was devoted to naval defence. There was a long discussion, but no official statement' wtis issued. It is understood, that the position reached is that each Dominion Parliament is to be consulted to see what can bo undertaken in. the way of financial responsibility. Meantime the British will develop the fleet according to the general principles indicated The Pacific question was _ discussed at length at the afternoon sitting. Some of the delegates bl«*ned Mr Hughes for imperilling the Washington Conference. The majority applauded his speech, declaring that such a frank statement was a necessary preliminary to the main conference. # PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE NOT BY UNITED STATES. (Received July 24, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 23. Washington dispatches submitted to tile Imperial Conference do not contribute to the Settlement of the controversy between Loudon and Washington. Mr Hughes and Mr Massey will be unable to attend Washington in November. They will, therefore, urge a preliminary conference in ' London immediately, at which, Japan, the United States, and other interested Powers will be represented for the purpose of settling the Pacific problems, leaving disarmament to be settled at the Washington Conference, at which Britain might represent the whole Empire. The United State® does not favour a preliminary London conference because it will take the “gilt edge off the ginger bred” of the Washington Conference. Neither .side is yielding. The Conference has been adjourned till Monday, hoping a compromise will be effected during the week-end, failing which one Dominion Premier predicts that the Conference will break np within a week. VIEWS OF MR HUGHES CONFERENCE IN LONDON FAVOURED. (Received July 25, 12.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 23. Mr W. M. Hughes interviewed said:—“There can . be no disarmament until the need for armaments no longer exists. It follows from this that until the vital problems in the Pacific are settled by agreement among the three great naval Powers disarmament or the limitation of armaments is impossible. Therefore it is vital that a conference to deal with these problejns be held as soon as nsible. London is' convenient, and I ieve a conference should be held here within three weeks. Washington might be more convenient for the Disarmament Conference. There must bp giving as well as takirig if the Pacific or any other conference is to be successful.” ' FAR EASTERN QUESTIONS REPRESENTATION OF SMALLER NATIONS. / (Received July 24, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 22. Mr C. E. Hughes (Secretary for State) has advised Belgium, Holland and Portugal that when -the Washington Conference discusses the Far Eastjem question in such a way as to affect' the interests of those nations, there will be no difficulty about their being represented.