Empire Talks Behind Locked Doors

Chronicle (Levin), 27 August 1947, Page 5

Empire Talks Behind Locked Doors

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter,

Copyright)

Received Tuesday, 7.35 p.m. CANBERRA, August^ 26. In an atmosphere of secreey eclipsmg any xvartime precautlons at Parliament House, the Empire conference to ' determine the British Commonwealth policy on the Japanese peace terms, opened today. Security officers are stationed at strategic points, all strangers are barred and delegates and advisers from the eight Empire countries are sitting behind locked doors in the House of Representatives ' ehamber. Opening the conference Mr. Chifley said: "We hope the talks "will be a contribution to the restoration of stability xx'hieli is so badly needed. ' ' The British Secretary of State for Commonxx'ealth Relations, Lord Addison, said that the conference was historie iiot only because it was the lirst of its kind held outside London, but also because it was the lirst attended by representatives of the new Dominions of India and Pakistan. Matters to be deeide'd are, lirstly, proeedural questions at the ffnal peace settlement with Japan,- secondly, the basic objectives to be secured by Empire countries; thirdly, control and supervision of Japan; fourthly, territorial provisions such as the allocationn of Japan 's former overseas empire; fifthly, demilitarisation and disarmamcnt of Japan; sixthly, political, linancial and economic provisions to be borne by Japan; seventhly, reparations. Tlie "Big Three" of the conference, are stated by correspondents to be Dr Evatt, Lord Addison and the young British Minister of State, Mr. Hector McNeil. Dr. Evatt was unanimously eleeted chairman. The delegates from Burma are expected late tonight or tomorroxx'' having been delayed by moasoon xveather. There was applause as

Sir Rama Rau, the Indian delegate. ' rose to speak. "I can assure yrou that as the result of the magnilicent gestur-; made by Great Britain, all racial feelin India is praetically dead today," he said. "We can look forxvard to a period of cordiality in all spheres oi actix'ity xvith xvhich we are associated." Mr. Brooke Claxton, of Canada, said that the attendance of the Canadian delegation xvas an indication of Canada '3 interest in Paeilic affairs. "The settlement we are working at here, " he concluded, "is one m«ans or tackling the problem of catching up with the reality that is, in fact, one world." It xvas learned officially that Australia and probablv Britain xvould attempt, as far as possible, to keep the decisions on the broadest basis. A fear exista that at the iinal Japanese peace talks other nations are likely to aceuse the Empire countries of acting as a bloc xvith a ngid predetermined policy.