EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3522, 13 September 1921, Page 17

EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

MR MASSEY AT VANCOUVER. VANCOUVER. September 10. The Niagara has sailed with Mr Mas ey aboard. Under the auspices of the Canadian Chib Mr Massey addressed an audience of 400 leading citizens at Vancouver at a luncheon to-day. He had a most enthusiastic reception, a number of New Zealanders being present, including Sir John Findlay. Mr Massey's subject was '‘Some Aspects of the Empire Problems.” Air Alassey was in great form. He spoke for an hour, and the audience asked him to continue. This is his first address on the subject since the Imperial Conference. Air Massey described the latter as a great success, (t had laid the foundations for the superstructure of the British Empire which would be of great benefit, not only to the present but to future generations. He quoted Air Lloyd George’s conference summing-up speech, in which the latter made it plain that the conference v*»s now an Empire Cabinet vested with the powers of a Cabinet. Air Alassey traversed most of the principal points of the conference. He was continually applauded, and at the conclusion of his speech he was cheered. The Chairman said it was the first opportunity the province had had of hearing at first hand anything about the conference, and it had been a great privilege to have the honour of hearing such a statesmanlike account of what had happened on the vital points. He thanked Mr Alassey on behalf of the town for his great address. Mr Alassey will address the Canadian Club at Victoria to-morrow forenoon during a stop by the Niagara. BILLS OF LADING. LONDON, September 9. Mr Ashbolt has informed the Australian Press Association that the general adoption by The Hague Conference of the bill of lading proposal six weeks ago ia practically assured. The British, American. and Continental delegates—including representatives of the principal British maritime, mercantile, banking, and insurance interests—all recommended its adoption. Air Ashbolt believes that this will nullify the Imperial Committee’s report of March 22. Shipping Companies will probably be influenced by a desire to escape legislation which is threatened in several countries. The conference preferred voluntary action. AJr Ashbolt is of opinion that The Hague recommendations are superior, from a shipper’s point of view, to the Australian Sea Carriage Act, although they would involve some unimportant amendments to that Act to bring it into conformity with The Hague rules.