FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 137, 11 June 1937, Page 7

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Imperial Conference Resolutions TEXT WATERED DOWN MR. SAVAGE’S RESERVATION [By Telegraph—Prers Association—Copyright) LONDON, June 9. After long discussions between the Prime Ministers, the Imperial Conference to-night adopted the most important report, namely resolutions dealing with the International situation. It is gathered that the resolutions were considerably watered down to meet Mr. Mackenzie King's view before submission to the Conference for adoption, enabling the main conclusions to be unanimous, but it is learned that a reservation by the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage will appear in the addendum in which Hew Zealand intimates that she adheres to her attitude to the League expounded by Mr. Jordan at the Assembly in 1936. The principal delegates approved of the report of the Polar Committee. It deals with co-operation in the respective activities in the Antarctic, of New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa, and contains resolutions concerning future development. CANADA’S ATTITUDE EFFORT TO REACH AGREEMENT LONDON. June 9. Following informal talks outside of the Conference the principal delegates hope that an agreement will be possible to-night in connection with framing resolutions as the outcome of the foreign affairs discussions. The Australian Associated Press’ political correspondent believes that it will be abundantly clear that the Rt. Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King’s attitude will render the resolutions virtually innocuous. Many delegates were not merely disappointed but were discensolate by Canada’s attitude, coming at the very moment when most of the delegates considered it imperative to present a measure of unity on foreign affairs sufficient to warn provocative foreign Powers what might be expected from the Empire. The Canadians' attitude is doubly unfortunate. because public utterances here, if non-committal, at least imply wholehearted devotion to the Imperial tie, whereas speeches behind closed doors suggest interestedness in most of the things which the Imperial link involves, excepting allegiance ana substantial Imperial preference advantages. The question now asked by the other delegations is how Canada expects to continue to enjoy advantages of membership of the British Commonwealth it she is not prepared to share the responsibilities. Some of the delegates think that Mr Savage might have dealt with Mr Mackenzie King a little more gently. Nevertheless, they wonder what can be the real value of the Imperial Conference in the future if major decisions are impossible on vital problems. MR. JORDAN AT GENEVA QUESTIONS IN COMMONS MR EDEN REPLIES LONDON, June 9. In the House of Commons, Mr Anthony Eden, replying to Mr Vyvan Adams (Labour), said: “Reports that I influenced Mr Jordan at Geneva on May 29 are entirely without foundation. Every Government is entitled to its own viewpoint. Reports that I blue-pencilled speeches are entirely inaccurate. Miss Wilkinson asked “Is it a fact that Mr Eden made no representations which caused* Mr Jordan to modify his speech?” Mr Eden: “I think that my answer was quite clear.” Mr Dalton; “Does Mr Eden not welcome the sincere and wholehearted support of the Covenant by New Zealand?” Mr Eden: 'I welcome support from all of the Governments of the Dominions.”