IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 19939, 4 August 1926, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

DOMINION’S STATUS. STATEMENT BY MR. BRUCE. (Rec. 11.5 p.m.) Melbourne, Aug. 3. In the House of Representatives Mr Bruce made a statement on the Imperial Conference. Referring to the new status of the Dominions he said it would be an immeasurable catastrophe if anything now occurred which destroyed the unity achieved by our common sacrifices. Looking at the new responsibilities involved a vast majority of Australians were agreed they had no desire to possess the freedom advocated by some quarters for a revision of the whole Imperial relation and the new doctrines implied in the demand. Australia’s task was now rather to ensure an effective consultation regarding the obligations. Discussing Australia’s position with regard to the Locarno Treaty, he said: “We could not remain neutral in the event of a guarantee given by Britain ever being called into play, but the Government at present does not propose to submit to Parliament a resolution either approving or disapproving of the ratification of the Locarno Treaty of a mutual guarantee.” As at the Imperial Conference the question of the attitude of the Dominions to the Treaty would be discussed, he asked the House to consider this question but not to come to a decision, at the same time giving the House an undertaking that he would not commit Australia to a ratification of the treaty until the representatives had approved of such ratification. He concluded by saying he would most strongly urge at the conference that the construction of the Singapore Naval Base should be proceeded with, and in coming to this decision he stated that Australia was not the recreant who oft expressed determination to do everything to promote world disarmament as the true purpose of the project was purely a defensive one.—A. and N.Z.