EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 19434, 24 December 1924, Page 5

EMPIRE CONFERENCE

INVITATION TO AUSTRALIA MAY BE DECLINED •‘NOTHING TO JUSTIFY IT’ (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, December 23. Mr S. M. Bruce (Premier of the Australian Commonwealth), has received an invitation to attend a conference of dominion Prime Ministers in London in March. It is stated that the Federal Ministry is at a loss to understand the motive underlying the summons. The proposed reorganisation of the Colonial Office, the suggested million grant to assist in the marketing of Empire produce, and various trade suggestions which are impending, are regarded as being easily adjustable by correspondence or cable exchanges. Beyond these matters there does not appear to be anything which would justify Mr Bruce’s absence from the Commonwealth for six months. If these are the only subjects for discussion, it is taken for granted that neither Mr Bruce nor any of his Ministers will be sent to London to represent Australia. MR MASSEY’S POSITION, NO STATEMENT TILL NEW YEAR. (Special to the Times.) WELLINGTON, December 23. It is understood that, in common with the other self-governing dominions, New Zealand has received an invitation to the projected Empire Conference. Mr Massey does not contemplate making a statement in regard to New Zealand’s attitude towards the invitation until the New Year.