WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18442, 28 March 1922, Page 5

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

SENATOR PEARCE INTERVIEWED. GRATIFIED AT RESULTS. (Par Presa Association.) WELLINGTON, March 27. Senator the Right Hon. G. F. Pearce, P.C., who is returning to Australia from meetings of the | conference on limitation of arma- [ ments at Washington, at which he; was a representative of Australia on the British Empire delegation, was a passenger on the steamer Tahiti, which arrived in Wellington today. Senator Pearee, who was for over :en years Minister for Defence in the Commonwealth Government, including practically the whole war period, now holds the portfolio of Minister for Home and Territories. He expressed the keenest satisfaction at the results achieved by the Conference. He said that it had been a pleasure to have been associated with the other members of the British Empire delegation, and referred In appreciative terms to the work of his New Zealand colleague. Sir John Salmond. “Interests of Australia and New Zealand in the Pacilic, and Far Eastern questions, are identical, and so there was no difficulty in harmonising our respective views,’’ said the Australian Minister. He proceeded to say that in his judgment, with the possible exception of China, there were no countries represented at the Conference which had more to gain or lose as a result of its conclusions than Australia and New Zealand.” The substitution of a policy of peace and amity in the Pacific for the race in naval armaments will mean a great relief for British Dominions in naval and military expenditure, creating a better understanding among the nations having interests in the Pacific, and will inspire mutual confidence and assist trade and development among all. To have been able to assist 'in removing the misunderstandings, jealousies and suspicions which undoubtedly existed among the nations having interests in these regions, ana to have contributed In some smalr way to a better understanding among the English-speaking nations is to me a source of intense satisfaction. "I have found,” proceeded the Senator, "a hearty, cordial feeling in the United States, and particularly in Canada, towards this Dominion and the Commanwealth, and a keen desire to learn more about us. I trust,” he said, "that by improving trade and means of communication we shall foster these feelings for our mutual benefit." Senator Pearce ex--4 sed confidence in ratification by the ‘ 1 United States Senate of the treaties agreed to at the Conference.