PROBLEMS FOR PRIME MINISTERS' CONFERENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, 11 October 1948, Page 5

PROBLEMS FOR PRIME MINISTERS' CONFERENCE

(N.Z.P. A.—Copyright. > LONDON, Oct. 9 (Rec. 7.spm).—Regardless of the potential or actual uanger of the present international situation, it will be made clear at tne outset of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference, which opens on Monday, that there is no desire or intention of the United Kingdom to promote “ganging up” or the formation of a Commonwealth blocThis was reported by Reuter’s political correspondent, who adds that the conference will not make policy decisions. The discussions will be of a much more informal character. Although the main interest may be in the group of plenary sessions which has been arranged, much of the most valuable work may be done in separate meetings -between the individual Prime Ministers. Tne conference will encourage “cards on the table” excnanges and the frankest ventilation of views between individual Dominions. This frankness will be invited in crucial plenary sessions on world and Commonwealth economics and defence and the international situation. Sir Stafford Cripps will open the world economics debate on Monday with a voluminous review, highlighted by reactions to his recent conferences in the United States and Canada. The decision of India and Pakistan on their ultimate relationship to the British Commonwealth may be largely influenced by the conference, as it will give them an unexampled oppor* tunity to assess the merits of Commonwealth association. Mr. Nehru and Liquat Ali Khan will thus be able to give their advice when the time comes for the Indian and Pakistan Constituent Assembles to decide for or against continuation of Commonwealth membership. The “Sunday Times” says the subject of defence will be divided into regional parts of Western and Eastern. It is considered that conclusions will be reached more quickly if Atlantic and Arctic defence, in which Canada is specially interested, is discussed separately from the defence problems of South-east Asia, which is the particular concern of the southern and Asiatic Dominions. Representatives of all Dominions, however, will attend both regional discussions. The Western Union, although not a separate item on the agenda, will be discussed- Britain has no reason to expect from the Dominions anything but cordial support for It. The “Sunday Times” adds that a standing Commonwea'.th Committee in London is one of the suggestions in the air. Particular problems like the adjustment of Imperial preference may also cause some difficulty. (N. Z. P. A. —Renter—copyright.) KARACHI, Oct. 9 (Rec. 8.10pm),. The leading Pakistan newspaper “Dawn” described the visit of Liaquat Ali Khan to the Dominion Prime Ministers’ conference as a final fact-find-ing mission. It stated: “We earnestly urge Britain and the other Commonwealth nations to give up their pose of impartiality and so-called policy of equality of treatment and make up their minds whether they are going to help us when we need their help or leave us in the lurch out of fear of India because it is the bigger country. The whole burden of defence of the North-western frontier of the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent rests on the shoulders of Pakistan and not of India.”