IMPERIAL AFFAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19350, 10 December 1924, Page 7

IMPERIAL AFFAIRS

FUTURE OF THE PACIFIC.

DEFENCE OF TRADE ROUTES.

SPEECH BY MR. AMERY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 8. Mr L. S. Amery (Secretary of State for the Colonies) was the guest of the Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club. He said that Australia and New Zealand, in the new movements to-day, occupied a geographical position comparable with that of the British Isles 300 years ago. It was impossible to say today whether Australia and New Zealand would be able to profit from the position. They had a marvellous opportunity to defend themselves effectively against the possible perils of that position. Their weakness was lack of numbers, owing to a complete absence of a true co-operative policy with the Homeland for the reciprocal use of each other's resources, “but,” ho said, “we are learning wisdom now.” Mr Amery said ha hoped it would now be possible to carry out an Empire settlement policy to even a greater extent than that provided by the Empire Settlement Act. He emphasised that it was useless to assist people to cross the ocean unless provision was made to purchase their produce. He hoped, despite the slight lapse a few months ago, that there would be an ever-increasing pressure to carry out a policy of Imperial Preference in every direction.

Referring to the necessity for keeping the ocean routes open in the interests of Empire defence, Mr Amery said there were three gateways of vital importance — viz., GiOral tar t the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Singapore. “We are bound effectively and firmly to safeguard our rights in Egypt,, particularly those which have a bearing on Imperial communications. This is an internal matter concerning the British Empire, and not concerning anyone else. Singapore is a gateway which might be valueless unless the means are provided to re-equip our ships, and wo must make sure of it. That, also, is purely an internal matter for ourselves, ■which we are not merely entitled to look after, but bound to .make sure of.” The Minister concluded; “In the vast developments pending in the Pacific, Australia and New'- Zealand must give a lead to the new world, as Great Britain has given a lead to the old world.”—Reuter. EMIGRATION AND PREFERENCE. DUTY TOWARDS THE DOMINIONS. LONDON, December 8. (Received Dec. 9, at 10 p.m.) In the course of his speech Mr Amery emphasised the need for making Britain's manhood and boundless resources available ip the great spaces overseas. Hitherto Britain had squandered millions in men and money in building up other nations which during neither peace nor war could ever be what the dominion would be The Great War had produced a deep impression in this connection.

Dealing with preference, Mr Amery said that this was at present neutralized by high freights which could be brought down by a sustained flow of trade both ways. Preference would only bo fully realised hv Britain giving something equivalent t 5 what she received.—A. and N.Z. Cable. CONFERENCE IN DOMINIONS DEFENCE AND FOREIGN TREATIES. PRIME MINISTER’S PROPOSAL* (From Ouh Own Cohhespondent.) WELLINGTON. December 9. The Prime Minister made an interesting statement to-day concerning the project discussed by the Secretary of State lor the Colonies in regard to conferences being held in the dominions. Mr Massey said: “I agree almost in its entirety with the opinion expressed by Colonel L. S. Amery. When the representative statesmen of the Empire can come together in a round table conference they have no difficulty in arriving at an agreement, and the oftener they can come together the better for all concerned. As to meeting occasionally in the overseas centres, I have advocated this on a number of occasions, and 1 am confident it would be a most advantageous arrangement. London has many advantages, which I am prepared to admit, but it is just as important that British statesmen should see and learn something about the possibilities of the dominions as that the representatives of what are sometimes called the British possessions overseas should keep in touch with the heart of the Empire itself. If the Conference met occasionally, say in Canada (east or west), in Australia, or Mow Zealand, or South Africa, it would be possible to have yearly meetings with very much less waste of time and energy than is the case at present and we should get to understand each other very much better The Empire is kept together by loyalty to the Sovereign, by the spirit of patriotism which obtains in every British community, and also by the unwritten partnership which exists as between the different countries and which leads their citizens to understand that they are partners in that company of nations which has done more for humanity as a whole than any other nation or Empire which the world has ever seen. When I use the term ‘partnership’ I am thinking of such questions as defence in its various forms, the making of treaties with foreign nations, and international conferences like that of Washington, for example, or any other subject which may be considered of sufficient national importance. There should be a distinct and definite understanding about such business, and trouble such as that which took place over Lausanne thereby avoided. If the Secretary of State for the Colonies can find time to visit the dominions, well and good. He will get a hearty welcome wherever he goes, but better still would it be to have periodical conferences in the different countries in the way I have suggested.’’ THE SINGAPORE BASE. QUESTION OF FINANCE. BRITAIN NOT A “RICH UNCLE.”

LONDON, December 9. (Received Deo. 9, at 11.40 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph, commenting on the Government’s decision to proceed with the Singapore base, says: “Doubtless the Question of finance as between the Mother Country and the Dominions will be reconsidered. Britain is not in the position of the rich uncle in the fairy story. This country is really very poor, and also overtaxed, and the expenditure on Singapore, however necessary on the broadest Imperial grounds, is unwelcome.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.