EMPIRE PROBLEMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 413, 3 November 1930, Page 8

EMPIRE PROBLEMS

MATERIAL CONSOLIDATION WILL CONFERENCE SUCCEED? fßf Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] Received Nov. 2, 8.45 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 1. Presiding at a dinner given by the Empire Parliamentary Association in the Royal Gallery of the House of Lords, Air Ramsay MacDonald described the conference as anything but barren. Air It. B. Bennett (Canada) said he still hoped that before it was too late they would develop some scheme whereby they might help each for all and all for each. To solve the economic problems he suggested they should leave the question of status alone and consider the material consolidation of the Empire. The other threcquarters of the world might well ask what were we doing with our quarter, and who could blame them! Mr J. A. Scullin (Australia) said he did not know yet what material advantage the conference would yield. He hoped to emulate the cricketers and return with the “ashes” —but not of burnt hopes. This oldest Parliament recalled to him the newest Parliament at Canberra, where sheep grazed within 100 yards of the front door, magpies sang on the roofs and kookaburras laughed in the gum trees, all typifying the peace and brotherly harmony within. Mr G. W. Forbes (New Zealand) said. “The constitutional question does not concern us. We will not tolerate separation from our kith and kin.” General Hertzog (South Africa) said that the supremacy of the white man in Africa was essential if he was to retain his birthright of civilisation. Afr J. H. Thomas (Secretary of State for the Dominions) expressed the opinion that tho conference would reach a unanimous decision in a few days.