DEFENCE IN THE PACIFIC

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 7

DEFENCE IN THE PACIFIC

Conference Opens In Wellington CLOSE GUARD KEPT ON ROOMS BRITISH, AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. DELEGATES (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 14. One of the most important conferences ever held in New Zealand began in Parliament Buildings today when representatives of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand discussed about the defence of the Pacific and other problems of mutual interest. The conference, which is expected to extend over a week at least, is meeting in private. Several rooms have been set aside for use by the delegates, advisers and other officials. Every precaution is being taken to see that only authorized persons gain access to these rooms and the immediate precincts are closely guarded. The personnel of the conference totals 66. This number includes secretariats and advisers attached to the three delegations and typists taking an official record of the proceedings. The conference is using the whole of the top floor of the new wing of Parliament Buildings, as well as several rooms on the floor immediately below. The stairway leading to the upper floor and the approaches to the rooms are closely guarded by police and orderlies. An all-night guard was maintained over the conference room tonight. All attending the conference are equipped with identity cards, and none but authorized persons are admitted. The following official statement was issued at the conclusion of today’s conference proceedings late in the afternoon:

“The conference was opened by his Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Galway) at 10 a.m. Subsequently, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) was appointed chairman and the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) deputy-chairman. Mr Savage extended a welcome to the delegates and speeches in reply were made by Sir Harry Batterbee, United Kingdom High Commissioner in New Zealand, and by Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, leaders of the United Kingdom and Australian delegations respectively. The conference then proceeded to the consideration of its agenda. The discussion will be resumed tomorrow morning.”

DEFENCE FROM SEA AND AIR QUESTIONS WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED The conference on Pacific defence is the outcome of a suggestion put forward by the New Zealand Government about the middle of last year. Plans are likely to be , considered with a view to closer co-operation between the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy. The manufacture of aircraft in New Zealand and Australia will probably be considered. This is a question that has already been investigated in both countries by the British Air Mission, which arrived in the Dominion about 10 days ago. The full list of delegates is as follows:—

BRITISH GOVERNMENT Sir ' Harry Batterbee, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.0., United Kingdom High Commissioner in New Zealand (leader). Sir Harry Luke, K.C.M.G., Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, K.8.E., C. 8., R.N., representing the Admiralty (and also acting as head of the Australian delegation). Major-General P. J. Macksey, C. 8., D. 5.0., M.C., representing the War Office. Air-Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, K.C.8., D. 5.0., representing the Air Ministry. The staff will consist of Captain W. D. McN. Graham, of the General Staff, War Office; Major A. H. Stafford, of the Fiji Defence Force; Mr H. H. Vaskess, 0.8. E., of the Western Pacific High Commission; Lieutenant F. R. JNicholls, R.A., A.D.C. to Sir Harry Luke; Mr G. E. Boyd-Shannon, official secretary to Sir Harry Batterbee; and Mr N. E. Coster, assistant official secretary to the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in Australia. NEW ZEALAND The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. The Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser. . The Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash. The Minister of Defence, the Hon F. Jones. . The Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. Major-General J. E. Duigan, C. 8., D.S.O. „„„ Commodore H. E. Horan, D.S.C., R.N. ' ' , Group-Captain H. W. L. Saunders, M.C., D.F.C., M.M. Group-Captain T. M. Wilkes, C.8.E., M.C.

Mr C. A. Berendsen, C.M.G., permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department. Mr B. C. Ashwin, secretary of the Treasury. Mr L. J. Schmidt, secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce.

Lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Stevens, conference secretary. AUSTRALIA

Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, representing the Naval Board, and leader of the delegation. Colonel V. A. H. Sturdee, C.8.E., D. 5.0., of the Military Board. Wing-Commander G. Jones, D.F.C., R.A.A.F., of the Air Board. Captain E. C. Johnston, D.F.C., representing the Civil Aviation Department.

The staff consists of Paymaster-Cap-tain J. B. Foley, 0.8. E., R.A.N., and Commander J. C. D. Esdaile, R.A.N.

BRITISH DELEGATE FROM FIJI DEFENCE FORCE AUCKLAND, April 14. Boarding at noon the air linet for Wellington an hour or two after his arrival by the Matua,' Major A. H. Stafford, Adjutant to the Fiji Defence Force, paid a brief visit to Auckland today. At the Pacific defence, talks in Wellington, Major Stafford will be attached to the British delegation as Fiji is under the jurisdiction of the Colonial Office.