PREMIERS IN LONDON.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16948, 10 November 1926, Page 7

PREMIERS IN LONDON.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. COMMITTEE'S PROGRESS. MANY SUBJECTS DISCUSSED. LONDON, November 8. Another day of committee work at the Imperial Conference brought to fruition the preliminaries of the past fortnight, thougli much of this is still confidential. The inlcr-Impcrial Relations Committee met this morning, and a subcommittee considered treaty procedure. In the afternoon the Economic Committee's report on customs and valuations was adopted. Oil pollution of navigable waters by oil-burning steamers adversely affecting fisheries, was conclusively discussed, and consideration was completed. Consideration was 'given to questions arising out of the Brussels Maritime Law Convention, including bills of lading. The Forestry Committee dealt in detail with the world's timber supplies, particularly with regard to soft woods, which constitute 80 per cent, of the constructional timber. The committee reviewed the programme of the quinquennial forestry conference to be held in Australia and New Zealand during 1928, and suggested that the next be held in South Africa. The committee debated co-operative forestry. The research sub-committee on overseas settlement accomplished slight progress. Domestic Affairs. Although rapid headway is being made by the committees which are dealing with matters within the realm of the Empire's purely domestic affairs, as regards most of which finality is likely to be reached next week, it is learned that there are some subjects on which, after three weeks' debate, no decision has been approached. This position docs not arise from a disagreement on vital points, but from the difficulty of finding formulas. Particularly is this the case with regard to Empire policy on treaties. For more than a fortnight the Legal Sub-Committee, of which Air Ernest Lapointe (Canada),is chairman, has been discussing a British memorandum on the subject. The result was that to-day it virtually found itself back at its commencing point. The chief difficulty relates to British treaties with foreign Powers, such as the Treaty of Locarno, and to the desiro to have a clause if possible that will remove the apprehensions of the Dominions, and at the same time be consistent with the practices of foreign diplomacy. Whether it will be possible to achieve this object is a matter of doubt in conference circles. It is suggested that no definite solution may have been reached by November 25,\vhen the conference is expected to end, but that it will then be agreed to cover the position in an explanatory general statcmcut. This course may bo adopted in relation to other matters which it is not easy to secure unanimity in declaratory motions. Steamer Communication.

It is gathered that the matter of the representation of the Dominions on the Council of the League of Nations has not vet been raised. It is stated on reliable authority that the probability is it will not figure among the decisions of the conference.

A matter of special interest in Australia will engage the attention of the special Shipping Sub-Committee tomorrow. This is the proposed acclcration of mall steamer services to and from Australia. It is gathered that the matter will not be left wholly in the hands of the Imperial. Shipping Committee. There is a desire among the delegates to have the subject examined afresh, apart from preconceived ideas, as was done when the present faster transAtlantic services were planned. For this reason the matter will first be examined by representatives of Britain and Australia, witli representatives of New Zealand and India sitting as interested observers. Difficulty has been experienced in defining a uniform policy in regard to the nationality of foreign wives who marry British or Dominion husbands. Some of the delegates contend that the sanctity of marriage vows transcends all olhcr considerations in the problem. Migration Plans. It is learned that the migration plans concerning New Zealand, which are now before a sub-committee of the Imperial Conference, will need a good deal of alteration before they can be finally approved. They will have to be recast in some important directions before they will be acceptable to the Dominion. Compared with the migration plans for Australia and Canada those for New Zealand arc simple and straight ahead. It is understood that New Zealand does not envisage any great innovations or sweeping changes, but a continuation to its utmost capacity alon„ well-tried lines of the plan followed ill the last few years.