IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 17

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

STATEMENT BY MR LLOYD GEORGE. LONDON, August 18. Mr Lloyd George, speaking in the House of Commons, maae a statement regarding the Imperial Conference, stating that the last few years had witnessed a remarkable development in the constitution and growth of the Empire. The aid which the dominions gave the Motherland had astonished not only the world, but the greatest Empire enthusiasts in this country. The whole course of human events had been altered because the Empire had proved a fact, not fiction, as some thought. The dominions came to Great Britain’s help in 1914 in support of a policy in which they had no voice. The Motherland was now glad to have their opinions in fashioning its future policy. The main factor in the way of securing unity of Empire by means of a conference was by an improvement in the communications which was now receiving earnest consideration. Naval Defence would be considered by the different Parliaments from whom any proposals must come. The conference had agreed that the Empire must have a naval force equal to that of any other country. It was unanimously recognised that ti;e Japanese Treaty had been faithfully and loyally observed I Japan during the war. Was it suggested that Great Britain should now turn round and say to Japan, “Thank you for the trouble you have taken, but we don't want you any longer?” Cries of No ' Mr Lloyd George : “The British Empire must- behave like gentlemen ” He did not see why it would be impossible to fulfil our obligations to Japan, and at the same time observe a spirit of fraternity to the United States. If the latter and Japan could combine on the problems in the Pacific that would be a great event and a guarantee for the peace of the world. The sure.-t way to success in the Disarmament Conference would be reached through an understanding on the Pacific question. He was still hopeful that t nwould ensue at the Washington Conference. He had frankly discussed the foreign policy. A member : “Ireland.” The Prime Minister : “No not Ireland That is not the sort of question you can go into of your own freewill.” Mr Lloyd George added : "We don't want to interfere in the dominions’ internal affairs, nor do they in ours, hut they want to feel they rue part of this amazing organisation which is the first of its kind the world has ever seen.” Sir Donald Mac Lean welcomed the decision not to reduce the constitution of the commonwealth of nations to a written basis, which would be destructive of its development on really great lines. He hoped the Prime Minister would be able to attend the Washington Conference. AIR SERYICES. LONDON, August 18. An official report to tre Imperial Conference dealing with communications contained recommendations in the snh-com-mittee’s report on air services to be submitted to the Parliaments of Hie dominions and Great Britain for consideration. An indication of the committee’s proposals was cabled, but the full text obtained to-night gives interesting features. In the committee’s view the best hope for the successful development lies in private enterprise conducting the servile for a profit, like the mercantile marine, on business lines. The development of the complete scheme between England, India, Africa. Australia, and New Zealand is a mattei of considerable time. In consequence of this it is considered desirable to deal with the establishment

of an airship service in stages of a oneyear period. Assuming that the inauguration of the experiments is in September, it should be possible in March, 1922, to start a monthly service to Egypt, and by the close of 12 months it should be possible to undertake demonstration flights from Egypt in the direction of India and SofTth Africa without landing. The cost of this period would be £540,000. A two-year period includes the erection of a complete base in Egypt, and the cost for the period would he £1,339,000. The further development of one and twoyear periods are regarded only as stepping stones, but such development should convert experimental flights towards South Africa into a permanent regular service. This should make possible an alternative route via South Africa to Australia. The committee estimated that 10 to 12 airships, each of 4,000,000 cublic feet capacity, would suffice to maintain a fortnightly service from England to Egypt, India, South Africa, and Australia. The first of such airships would probably cost £300,000. Before the route to Australia could be consolidated it would be necessary to provide equipment and permanent bases in South Africa- and Australia. Tire estimated development over a period of three years would involve a capital expenditure of £4,545,000 maintenance, £901,000, and contingencies £1,500,000. lo this must he adoed the cost of upkeep and the operation of airships, which would increase from £160,000 per annum, at the end of two years’ period to £1,095,00d per annum. The cost of the necessary mooring masts and stations in Egypt, South Africa, Australia, and baclc° via Ceylon is estimated at £275,000, to enable it to conduct demonstrational flights. Two such flights would cost £33.000. "The proposed type of airship would carry a maximum load of 50 passengers and 13 tons of freight. LINKING UP THE EMPIRE. LONDON. August 18. Mr F. E. Kellaway, Postmaster-general, opened the Leafield wireless station, forming the first link of an Imperial wireless chain. Another station now in course of construction at Banburv will be used in conjunction with Leafield. Mr Kellaway sent the first message, composed of greetings to British stations within range, with an expression of trust that the station would help to knit still closer the bonds binding the different parts of the Empire. NATIONALITY Oh CHILDREN. LONDON, August 19. The Imperial Conference passed a resolution regarding the nationality of children based on the following recommendations all foreign countries a child of British parents, who at present would not possess British nationality, shall acquire it from birth upon the registration of the child at a British Consulate within one year. The nationality so acquired shall cease a year after the child attains its majority, unless meanwhile he renews the registration.” It is intended that the scheme shall be made retrospective to include children of the second generation born abroad since January, 1915. With a view to obtaining uniformity throughout the Empire, the principle will be submitted to the dominion Parliaments as soon as possible. THE PATENT LAW. LONDON, August 19. The Imperial Conference agreed that representatives from the patents offices in the dominions should meet in London to consider the practicability of instituting a system which would be valid throughout the Empire. The memorandum, which is now available, shows that under the existing dVotem separate rights are required in each dominion. Two proposals were submitted—firstly, the abolition of dominion offices and the creation of an Imperial office similar to that at Washington ; secondly, to retain the local offices, while establishing a central Empire office, where locally-granted patents would he recorded which would have a prima facie validity throughout the Empire. Any inventor obtaining a patent at a branch office would have the right to have a search made on the question of novelty, such search being recorded on the patent. The conference will probably be held early next year.