AT THE CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10966, 30 July 1921, Page 8

AT THE CONFERENCE

FACED WITH UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS. MR HUGHES'S PROGRAMME. Qv Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Julv 29, 5.5 p.m.) ‘ LONDON, duly 2S. Tho time is passing swiftly, and complicates the position with regard to Mr Hughes’s activities. It is understood that originally the Imperial Conference arranged to sit only on throe days a week, affording ample opportunity for t-li© Prime Ministers to attend to pressing matters affecting their Dominions. Tbo urgent nature of the business unexpectedly arising necessitated almost continuous sittings on six days weekly, sometimes till late at night. The week-ends were occupied preparing strenuous work for the following days. In addition to sudden developments in regard to the foreign policy, tho "Washington proposals provided new phases for discussion, further congesting the programme. The pressure of work and the shortness of time are now causing embarrassment. The dates of departure having been fixed, the Ministers are at their wits’-end how to cdffiplete tho programme. Mr Hughes’s case is typical. He lias undertaken to deal with the following matters:—Meat, refrigerated shipping freights, Commonwealth steamship line, rearrangement of Australia House, discussion on behalf of Australian growers, Bradford wool problems, Australian trading activities with Britain, financial questions, the New Hebrides, commerce with France, and tho Amiens presentation. Mr Hughes is endeavouring, to the best of hi© abilityy* at odd moments to deal with complicated iiroblcme, but is concentrating on more important international matters which affect- the vital interest of Australia. Answering a question to-day, Mr Hughes remarked that he was doing what ho xxiuld, but questions involving life and death must be considered first of all. Air Massey in similarly situated. He works long hours, the other Prime Ministers having the assistance of colleagues and large staff**, delegating much detail, but their interests are not so complex or urgent as those of Australasia. Mr Hughes adheres to hi© determination to arrive in Australia the first week in October. Tho passages have already been booked. After attending the ceremony of placing tho wreath on the grave of the unknown warrior, Air Hughes proceeded direct from the Abbey to Downing street, wl*ere the Conference was summoned for the special purpose of dealing with the airship report, but it unexpectedly switched to foreign affairs, including Silesia. The proceedings were highly confidential. It is hoped to deal with airships to-morrow. The Dominion Ministers only received tlie report morning. Some have net read it, Jnit they explain after a hurried glance, it is very voluminous, largely explanatory, generally lacking in finality, and practically non-committal. The fact most emphasised relates to expenditure, which is estimated at several ffiillions.