WAR SUPPLIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21243, 14 October 1940, Page 9

WAR SUPPLIES

CONFERENCE AT DELHI DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS / ttfEW ZEALAND INCLUDED (United Pres* Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 12 Attention is being concentrated on the aims of the Eastern Group Conference which the Viceroy of India will open at Delhi on October 25. Those taking part will include representatives of Australia. New Zealand, South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, Burma, Hongkong, Ceylon, Malaya, and the territories of the East African Governors. Many of those present will be representatives of their Government.

The conference will also be attended to by the members of the British Ministry of Supply mission, headed by Sir Alexander Roger, which is now in India. It is understood that Sir Mohamed Zafrulah Khan will lead the British India delegation. It is hoped that the conference will result in a joint war supply policy and the pooling of capacities. Every country taking part would thus be virtually self-supporting for war supply purposes, and the deficiencies of one would be made good from the available or potential resources of the others. Any surplus production would be available for the general war effort of the Empire. More General Problems The possibility is viewed of members establishing contacts on more general problems of supply. It is suggested that members of the conference might be encouraged to engage in conversations with the Commerce Department of the Government of India on matters which may be described as predominantly civilian. At least one Government has indicated its desire to enter into wider discussions. Such conversations, which would be outside the regular conference, would not have the character of trade negotiations or bargaining. They would naturally be continued through the usual channels should scope for trade development be revealed.