REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. THE RIGHT OF SECESSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21145, 1 October 1930, Page 7

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. THE RIGHT OF SECESSION.

LONDON, September 29. When Mr Thomas invited questions to which he-reserved the right not-to reply, an American asked would the conference affirm the right of secession. “There would he no question of it,” said Mr Thomas. “No one. will question anyone’s right to secede, hut if you said you had the right to shoot yourself 1; might argue with you about the wisdom of-doing, so. Secession is more important to some of you than to those attending the conference, because this is the first I have heard of it.” Mr Thomas declined to make an elaborate reference to the economic -issues, on which a ‘ questioner sought a statement in relation-to protective duties and preferences. Mr Thomas contented him self with saying that every phase of the economic life of the Empire was hound to be discussed. Another question asked: Has not Mr Graham’s adhesion; to the tariff truce at Geneva rather committed Britain? Mr Thomas said that he had not heard so, though he had had long chats with most of the Prime Ministers. An American sought enlightenment on a possible attempt fay the Irish Free State to abolish Privy Council; appeals. Mr Thomas: .“The question is one; affecting the Appeal Court within the Empire, ’ It is true -that, there *will be discussed /the creation <jf an Empire Appeal Court, which will deal with the Empire’s internal domestic differences, rather than by a tribunal created by an outside body bothering with the Empire’s domestic affairs. I have the strongest grounds for the belief that some such tribunal will emerge from .the conference, supplementing the existing machinery.” Mr Thomas told a Dutch questioner that' the whole problem of disarmament -and the London Naval Treaty would be discussed.', ■ . ,■ ; ■ ’ Mr Thomas admitted that the ques tion of the conference being held ■ entirely in camera had hot been settled. This matter would be discussed with thePrime Ministers to-morrow. " The talk- finally turned on economics. Mr : Thomas was asked if Britain . had definite proposals to submit.- ,Mr Thomas said there would be a full, frank, and free discussion of the position; . ' A questioner; Has Britain nothing to suggest but a pool? ' ; Mr Thomas: Unless everyone is going to make some contribution thereto wo. shall all drop the pool question. Bulk' purchases .and import boards are already on the agenda. I have not heard of any dominion requesting new preferences. 'memorandum on migration. GROUP SETTLEMENT. LONDON, September 30. ■ (Received Oct. 1, at 0.15 a.m.) “Group settlement is the way out for the present generation,” declares Commissioner Lamb, of the Salvation Army, in a memorandum on migftition drawn up. for consideration by the Imperial Conference, in which he states .that successful settlement is attainable only if it is helpful to the individual, acceptable to Britain, and advantageous, to the dominions. He explains that group settlement does not mean more transplantation from the British district, but district settlement .overseas in groups of men, women, and children,-with experienced oversight. This was preferable to individual haphazard settlements, and was ■ good economics; its social and ethical advantages were obvious. He emphasises the importance of better distribution of women throughbut the Empire, in view of their excess by 2,000,000 'in Great Britain, while men outnumber women ; in • some -parts of the Empire. Commissioner Lamb .suggests, in view of tiie liecessity for a. 1 10 or 20-year-pro-gramme, jin . amendment of the Empire ■ Settlement. - -Act in - the -direction of a >modification of theoo-S0 basis of finance, permitting Britain to bear the whole or part-of the- cost of approved Schemes with -an Empire settlement board of five appointed to carry out the Act. “There has been overinuchtalk about the high coat-of emigration ,in, the past. We should- settle J as many unemployed people as possible in the agricultural regions of the dominions. Do not worry overmuch about the coat, remembering from the long view of Empire settlement that the experiment will pay and - is better than paying out £1,000,000 a' week in doles .to the unemployed. Having settled 'families overseas, their produce should be rendered ■,independent of market fluctuations until they get upon their feet. This means a subsidy if the product falls below, a certain point.” Commissioner Lamb expects to discuss the subject with Mr Thomas. COMMENT ON SCHEME. LONDON, September ,30. (Received Oct. I,"at 0.30 a.m.) The Morning Post, In editorial comment on Commissioner - Lamb’s scheme, suggests the revival of chartered companies.