formally Adjourned

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19455, 20 December 1934, Page 10

formally Adjourned

NAVAL CONVERSATIONS.

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE ISSUED. THE POSITION OUTLINED. (Official Wireless.) (Received Dec. 2D, 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. ID. The preliminary naval conversations were adjourned to-day at • meeting under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister,’Mr Ramsay MacDonald. A communique issued later stated: “ The conversations which started last June and after the recess have been proceeding since October 23, and are agreed by the representatives of all three Governments to have served a useful purpose in every aspect. “ The naval problem lias been discussed between the parties, frankly, fully and amicably. “ It was never the purpose of these preliminary conversations to reach any hard and fast conclusion. The sole purpose was to prepare the ground for future negotiation and agreement. “ The French and Italian Governments are also signatories to the present naval treaties and were associated with the discussions in the summer. They have been kept informed of all developments.

" Although the three Governments represented In these conversations are In favour' of the continuation of naval limitation with suoh reduction as can be agreed upon by all the Powers concerned, the principle and methods for aohlevlng this- In the future remain to be determined.

“ Now. tb,at the ' respective views have been made' known and fully discussed, the conversations have reached a stage where it is felt there should be an adjournment in order that the delegates may resume personal contact with their Governments and the resulting situation can be fully analysed and further considered.

“ It therefore has been agreed to adjourn the conversations at this point.

The Governments concerned in the London conversations will keep in close touch with each other and with other Governments, which are parties to the London and Washington treaties. The adjournment also will give His Majesty’s Government an opportunity for further consultation with the Governments of the Dominions.

.‘‘lt is .hoped that in view of the preparatory work accomplished by the conversations that" the position will so develop as to justify a subsequent meeting as soon as an opportune moment arrives. In that event the Government of the United Kingdom, which invited the present conversations will take appropriate steps. “ When the United States and Japanese delegates have returned home anfl consulted their Govrnments it is assumed that communications through normal diplomatic channels will take place on some of the several projects, which have been under discussion during the London conversations.

“ Of these substitute plans one which will probably tie closely examined by the Powers, Is understood to provide for a voluntary unilateral announcement regarding the naval programmes for a period of years In advance.

“Although It is assumed that Japan will carry out her intention to give notice of the termination of the Washington Treaty* there is no inclination to regard such a step as ending the prospect of agreement on some suoli scheme and the possibility is .envisaged of the parties getting sufficiently close to acceptance to make it worth while to meet again.

“It is pointed out in any event' 1 that denunciation must be regarded as preliminary only for the conference next year as provided for in the treaty, which will remain in force until 1936.”