IN TIME OF WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23201, 27 May 1937, Page 9

IN TIME OF WAR

MUNITIONS AND FOODSTUFFS INTERCHANGE OF SUPPLIES EMPIRE PLAN AGREED ON (United Pi ess Association) (By Electric Telegraph— Cor.vrlght> LONDON, May 25 The Australian Associated Press political correspondent learns that as a sequel to a plan largely initiated by Mr Lyons and Sir Archdale Parkhill, a permanent Imperial organisation will be established to create machinery for pooling and exchanging munitions and foodstuffs. This machinery will be organised so as to be ready for instant operation in the event of a conflict involving any part of the Empire. Sir Thomas Inskip will be appointed chairman and convener. The plan should in nowise be confused with the coordinating of defence programmes or a common defence policy for the Empire. No attempt has been made to reach an agreement on this question. Moreover, the dominions are disinclined to commit themselves to this extent. However, agreement has been reached on all matters of principle, while full agreement will be quickly reached in connection with the interchange of supplies, by which each dominion will be enabled to contribute in kind towards Empire defence from existing individual resources. It is expected that Australia, in addition to manufacturing munitions for her own forces, will undertake to expand production to enable the supplying of explosives and shells to Singapore, the Far East, and New Zealand, in addition to ensuring that food supplies will be available. Clearly, Australia has led the other dominions in defence discussions. Sir Archdale Parkhill's speech, although much longer than the others, showed the Commonwealth's real grip on the situation, and deeply impressed the delegates. This, however, represents only one phase of the defence deliberations, concerning which important discussions are occurring outside the conference between dominion defence Ministers and experts with Britain's chiefs of staffs. The results of these discussions will not appear in the conference minutes, and will not be disclosed to the public. To-day's deliberations were held at No. 10 Downing street, Mr Baldwin presiding, and were a continuation of the previous defence meetings. Mr Savage, Mr Havenga (South Africa), and Lord Zetland, for India, expounded their respective dominion's viewpoints. Sir Thomas Inskip followed with a further brief statement, after which it was agreed to establish a committee "to consider questions of mutual interest in the supply and production of munitions, war materials and foodstuffs." Mr A. Duff-Cooper (Minister for War) then outlined Britain's meaures to bring the organisation and equipment of the regular territorial armies up to date. It is understood that Mr DuffCooper intimated that recruiting for the regular army, though improved, was still far below requirements, but there was a great improvement over the territorials strength in March, which was a record month. Viscount Swinton followed with a corresponding statement on the Royal Air Force, indicating that the position had improved regarding the output of machines, though it was still somewhat below schedule. The heads of delegations will reassemble to-morrow in connection with defence, when Sir Samuel Hoare will outline the naval position. After this the major defence discussions will be concluded. Questions of defence will then remain with the committees until the plenary meeting decides the defence resolutions at the end of the conference. The sub-committee dealing with Pacific shipping held a further short meeting this morning under the chairmanship of Mr Nash. It discussed American subsidised competition across the Tasman. including New Zealand and Australia's enabling legislation. The committee will reassemble on May 27.