“A LONG WAY TO GO”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12602, 12 November 1926, Page 7

“A LONG WAY TO GO”

IMPERIAL TREATY PROBLEM OTHER COMMITTEES MAKE PROGRESS SECRECY DEFENDED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 10. A very significant official admission was made to-day at tho Legal subcommittee on the Empire aspect of treaties, that “there is still a long way to go.” This confirms the impressions gathered in the most intimate .quarters, some of which hint that tho problem will be left like Mahomet’s coffin. A note of satisfaction still pervades the comments on the inter-imperial relations committee’s discussions. They are conducted in the spirit of give-and-take, and the Australian and New Zealand representatives will be surprised if there are any pronounced changes in the status of the Governor-Generals; despite talk to the contrary. One well-informed observer remarked that these prophets have been confusing abstract constitutional issues with inter-imperial relations. Commenting on the fact this morn-

ing. “The Times” contained both Mr Baldwin’s claim that the conference promised greater achievements than most of its predecessors, and an editorial demand for a greater measure of publicity regarding the proceedings. Another Dominion representative tonight defended the policy of secrecy, and pointed out that wdiile there were two plenary conferences jn 1!)‘23, the Imperinl and the Economic, both giving out reports and decisions reached by committees, there is only a single conference on the present occasion, which must receive _ the committee’s reports on both political and economic subjects before broadcasting them. This informant’s most hopeful comment was that Mr Baldwin had in no way overstated the case in his forecast of definite, valuable achievements on the present occasion.