EMPIRE DEFENCES.

Southland Times, Issue 20012, 28 October 1926, Page 7

EMPIRE DEFENCES.

Imperial Conference Discussion

SINGAPORE BASE.

Dominions to Contribute More.

The Singapore base took a prominent place when the Imperial Conference discussed the defences of the Empire. Il is understood that most of the dominions will agree to bear a share of the cost of the undertaking, and that their contribution towards the general defences of the Empire will also be increased.

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

DISCUSSION ON DEFENCE. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OUTLINED. PRIME MINISTERS TO INVESTIGATE PERSONALLY. SINGAPORE BASE TO GO AHEAD. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, October 26. As was the case in the 1923 Imperial Conference, the delegates at to-day’s sitting, dealing with Imperial defence, were simply made conversant with the latest developments and. problems of defence—naval, military and aerial. For soms days, and probably weeks, the dominion delegates will use the intervals between the Conference sittings to pay visits to the executive heads of several departments, devoting a considerable portion of the time to naval matters at the Admiralty. After these investigations have been completefl, the main problems of defence will be taken up again at a plenary session when the defence discussions will be concluded. The Imperial Government states that a general announcement will be made publicly. Lord Birkenhead contributed a weighty statement at to-day’s session relating to India’s frontier problems, referring specially to the delicate position on the Afghan frontier resulting from Bolshevik propaganda. It is understood that the Singapore base loomed fairly prominently in to-day’s discussions, though not as a primary issue in its relation to Australia and New Zealand. Stress was rather laid on the new circumstances arising from the transference of the centre of naval strategy from the North Sea to the Pacific. It is understood in this connection that reference was made to the prominent part Australia was taking in providing an adjunct to the British Fleet in southern waters. It is gathered that a hint was dropped that Empire contributions towards the cost of the work spread over a decade would be welcomed to supplement the Federated Malay States’ gift of £2,000,000 which still stands. Both Mr Bruce and Mr Coates may be expected later to give full approval to the Singapore base scheme. When the question of financial contribution arises, Mr Bruce will doubtless call attention to the changed circumstances since 1923, because when the MacDonald Ministry definitely announced abandonment of the project, Australia adopted the alternative of considerably strengthening her own fleet, involving a substantial financial burden. Australia’s ability to contribute towards Singapore will be presented to the Conference in that light. Mr Coates is expected to express New Zealand’s willingness to make an increased contribution towards Imperial defence within her population’s capacity to pay. He will probably express willingness to leave the Conference to decide the manner in which the increased contribution could best be utilised. Australia and New 7 Zealand, jointly with Britain, are concerned over the New Hebrides condominium which a special committee is considering. It will incidentally be stated that notwithstanding the fact that the new president of the condominium, which was constituted seventeen years ago, but never functioned, arrived at the island in February, the Court had still not yet sat or considered any‘’case. The difficulty of approximating the views of the French authorities to those of the British Commission will be emphasised. A striking instance of the problems arising from dual control is that concerning the influential French company operating in the New Hebrides almost to

the exclusion of British trading interests. When the latter combined and prepared an extensive organisation to outbuy the French competitor, the French Government promptly intervened and vetoed the whole matter. These representations, it is felt, will strengthen the Australian and New Zealand claim either for a partition of the island into two distinct spheres of influence, or for a mutual exchange leaving the New Hebrides to one party in exchange for other territory. To-day’s initial meeting of the economic sub-committee was devoted to an examination of the methods of compilation of statistics throughout the Empire. It is learned that the completeness of the Commonwealth’s statistics of production and industry impressed Conference delegates. There is no idea of a complete co-ordination of the system of statistics throughout the Empire, but rather of linking up their activities to work in with the census of production and sales which Mr Bruce advocated last week.—A. A N.Z. MR COATES INTERVIEWS PRINCE OF WALES. (Rec. 7.35 p.m.) London, October 26. Mr Coates this evening interviewed the Prince of Wales at St. James’s Palace, and then attended the Royal Navy Club’s private dinner.—A. & N.Z. DEFENCE DISCUSSION SECRET. COMMITTEES AT WORK. (Rec. 7.35 p.m.) London, October 26. Mr Baldwin presided at the meeting of the Imperial Conference, Mr Cosgrove being the only absentee. Mr Baldwin, as chairman of the defence committee, made a general statement. Lord Beatty and Lord Birkenhead followed. The entire discussion was confidential.

The general economic committee dealt with Empire statistics with a view to developing their collection and ensuring their inter-Imperial utility. The forestry committee reviewed its agenda. It was stated that the Imperial Forestry Institute at Oxford had increased its students from 22 to 35. They proceed to all parts of the Empire and include probationers and experienced men taking refresher courses. The forestry committee is considering the creation of an Empire Forestry Bureau. ' Lord Balfour presided over the research committee and surveyed the work, embracing the exchange of technical and scientific information inter-Im peri ally. The Conference, owing to a Cabinet meeting, will not sit to-morrow, but the committees on inter-Imperial relations and mandates will meet. Sir Francis Bell represents New Zealand on the nationality, Antarctic, workmen’s compensation and forestry committees. Sir James Parr acts on the economic sub-com-mittee and Mr Coates on all the others.— A. and N.Z. INDEPENDENCE REPUDIATED. NATAL NATIONALISTS PROTEST. Capetown, October 26. The Provincial Congress of the South African Party in Natal unanimously passed a resolution “That this conference, representing the great majority of people in Natal, emphatically repudiates the doctrine of international independence propounded by the Prime Minister at the Imperial Conference, which has not received the approval of Parliament or the people of South Africa.”—A. & N.Z.