MR. MACDONALD PRESIDES

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1930, Page 7

MR. MACDONALD PRESIDES

WELCOME TO DELEGATES MESSAGE Tt> KING CHIEF ASPECTS. OF AGENDA '/ ~~ ? ' A " London, Oct. 1. Each delegation arrived at the Foreign Office in a State limousine provided by the British Government, each bearing the silken flag of its country. v Talkers and cameras' buzzed and the • - delegations then went to the Locarno room* where the tables were arranged in a-hollow square. , Mr. Ramsay MacDonald (Britain) had Mr. J; H. Scullin (Australia) op. his right and Mr. d. W. Forbes (New Zealand) on his left. Mr. MacDonald made the opening speech, followed by Messrs R. B. Bennett (Canada), Scullin and Forbes, General Hcrtzog (South Africa) and others. Mr. MacDonald moved and General Hertzog, us the only Primo Minister wliq had in 1026, seconded - a motion that. ’ the, conference, as its first official act, desired to present its respectful dujiy to His Mdyesty, joiningin thankfulness for His Majesty’s restoration to hedltii and the earnest hope that Their Majesties might be spared for many years to inspire the feelings of love and affection which united , all British people, under ■ the/ Crown. Ris Majesty’s reply was read to the conference. . . '■/ The conference paid tributes to the memory’ of Lord Balfour, Mr. O’Higgins, Sir Joseph Ward, Sir ..Neville Howse and Lord Birkenhead.' It was agreed to establish a general economic committee of experts to which the more detailed technical and economic eubjects will be referred. . ' The conference met for the first time in the afternoon to’arrange procedure. Mr. MacDonald, who welcomed' the delegates, said -the conference had to consider three, main aspects of the problems of common concern— s - (1) Political and constitutional relations, on which the general principles 7 were laid down and accepted by all in 1026. ' ' ■ (2) Questions concerning relations with foreign Rowers, particularly how the Empire’s combined influence could forward the work of disarmament and

llie establishment of machinery for the 1 peaceful settlement of disputes between nations. ■ ' . / " (3). The acute trade depression from which the whole world, including the

Empire, was suffering was making them give special attention to the problem of , their own economic!. relations, remembering the contracts of each with other nations each. Government had to accom-

modate itself. They nevertheless would bend their energies to devising practical . economic means of helping each other to make as great a contribution as they could to a solution of the problem. It was their task and, if they succeeded, it would be because they had confidence in each other, inspired by the spirit of free discussion which characterised their union. Mr. Ramsay - MacDonald said it was the conference’s task to consider Upon the basis of their experience how to give practical effect to the declarations of the 1926 conference. In order to prepare for the work the existing legal structure of the. commonwealth had to be examined to sec what modifications and adaptations were required to bring it into accord with those declarations. This had been done with care and thoroughness by a special conference on the operation of Dominion legislation, whose recommendations they must considci, never forgetting that behind their woik was the thought of building for the future. Whatever changes of form they might accept they should be guided by the truth that, though the form was undoubtedly important, it was not the form but the spirit behind the .form that mattered. . Two other aspects of the agenda indicated the most important fields in- which their free co-operation might, be actively pursued. In the sphere of foreign affairs the great objective was to secure and maintain the peace of the world and of the nations in world affaire. "Since 1026 I think we may point to three great steps which we have taken together to this end,” said Mr. MacDonald. ••'These are the signature of the Paris Peace Pact, the optional clause and the London Naval Treaty. “But there is much still to be done in both fields in broadening the scope of the arbitration arrangements and by securing a fuller and more general limitation of armaments. Let us be frank on this matter. The strength of the armaments in the world to-day and the general unwillingness of Governments to advance the cause of secured peace by a reduction of military materials, unless checked, must soon lead to conditions to -which the most pacific of nations cannot be indifferent. The outlook, is disquieting, but should the calamity happen it will not be the fault of our commonwealth which, both by precept and example, has shown the sincerity of its devotion to peace. I am sure that in the discussion we shall be able to find common ground for acting in harmony in pursuit of these aims. ’