IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 227, 20 June 1921, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

DISCUSSED IN HOUSE OF COMMONS QUESTION OF DEFENCE CO-ORDINATION OF FORCES ; DESIRED 9 By Telegraph—Preus Association—Copyright (Rec. June 19, 5.5 p.m.) London, June 17.

Sir John Davidson, in the House cf Commons, opened a discussion on the Imperial Conference. He emphasised the need for fostering good relations between Britain and the Dominions, setting a good example to the world. The question of Imperial defence should be dealt with in the best way to secure concerted action, without infringing tlie principles of freedom and autonomy.-An armaments competition had been begun, nnd if allowed to pass a certain point would inevitably result in war. It was absolutely essential that the whole Far Eastern question should be reviewed. Sir Samuel Iloare said Anglo-American friendship must be the basis for our world policy. The Anglo-Japanese Treaty should be considered by the Imperial Primo Ministers from every view-point as publicly as possible. If the alliance were renewed it must be modified to meet the just demands of China, and as far as possible American objections. Racial questions and disarmament could be far more effectually approached by holding a conference of all the Powers interested in the Pacific. Si? John Rees hoped that the Indian representatives would have an opportunity of urging the freedom and status oi Indians throughout the Empire. General Townshend said he would like to see the Dominions no longer contributing money to the fleet, but building their own. If this were carried out they would see gm Australian fleet policing tho Pacific and Chinn seas, a Canadian fleet policing the North Atlantic, and an Indian fleet policing the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, leaving the British Fleet in Home waters ready to move to any war theatre. Commander Bellairs questioned whether ths Japanese alliance had not Helped the militarists rather than the liberalising elements in Japan. Ihe latter s naval personnel was this , gl than the German personnel in 1914, while ours was reduced by thirty thousand. In such ioircumstriiices the people of t il. country should not agree to the alliKblXke hoped thb principle of an Imperial Navy would he: aid g at ttie Conference, or a navj f<), ' n , c " upon an Imperial system. Me must also have an Imperial policy of migration within the Empire. General Hunter M eslon remarked that without an adequate system of defence it would bo impossible for the Einpuo tO Mr. Chamberlain made it clear that the responsible Minister who won Id be a member of the Confwence must not prejudge the decisions of the Conference. The Government would enter tho Conic - ence without any cut-and-dried agon--w If the Dominions desired and could find time to discuss other questions they X’d find the British representatives willing. As to the question of defence, it was ilie Government’s desire to promote as far as possible the co-ordination of the military, naval, and lur-forces ot the Empire, so as loanable them. whore the consent of their respective authoiities is obtained, to co-ordinate most, quieky and effectively with the grea est pro - ne.ct of success in war time. Anj assist ance which the Government could render would be cheerfully and gladly Riven Continuing, Mr. Chamberlain sa d e +l,Olllllll it right to say in rcgaul to the Anglo-Japanese Treaty that the Government would he no party to an a n ’a 'ee “gainst America, or by which we could he called upon to oc I t , oRa ! n^ v lh ( e h J.",, states but ho would not say that any continuance of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance in a modified form was not possible. He did. not believe the treaty would give rise to any real apprcflransion amongst tlie governing authorities in America. It would always be a cardinal feature of British policy to cultivate good re Inf mis with America. He entirely agreed that a n ew competition in armaments between Britain and America would be not merely a tragedy to both countries, but tn civilisation. The House adjourned—Au».-N .z. Assn.

COST OF MAINTAINING THE NAVY

question of allocation

PROBLEM OF DEFENCE OF the PACIFIC. London, June 17.

Monday’s sitting of the Imperial Conference is likely to pass without important results. So many details require examination that marked progress is unlikely to be apparent fob a day or two - The naval defence of the Empire will be debated warmly in the Conference. Representatives of Great Britain have said quite plainly that she cannot, unaided, bear any longer the enormous expenses of maintaining a Navy sufficiently strong to be a guarantee of the satety of every part of the Empire. Britain herself has Tieen rue first to recognise that the Dominions should have a voice in-framing a foreign policy, but a strong foreign policy is no good wit hout a powerful Navy to back it II P’ 11 less the Empire is to he embarrassed by eternal threats of war These points will be put before the delegates by the Imperial authorities, and it will be left to the Conference to decide what shall be done. T ... It is considered likely that Lord coo’s recommendations that Britain (should pay three-quarters of the annual cost, nnd the Dominions one-quarter, will be the basis of the discussions. Ino protection of the Pacific will, of course, 'largely focus the Australian viewpoint.. Mr.' W. M. Hughes says Australia is ready to shoulder her part of tho burden ' Other delegates are not so outspoken, although Mr. Meighen has staled that Canada’s financial position prohibits her embarking on any substantial naval programme at present. It may bo pointed out nt lhe (onleioiice th-.it. whereas Canada, South Africa, and India are within coinparaHvely easy steaming distance of the most powerful eaval force drawn from the centre of Britain’s might, help could not come to Australia or New Zealand in an emergem-v in less than a month. H these outposts of the Empire are not to be i’lstantlv crippled on the unexpected outbreak of some war before relief arrives, it will lie necessary to maintain in tlie Pacific a sufficiently strong holding force to keep off an enemy for a.I least four weeks. This would necessitate the provision in the Pacific of naval bases, docks, and vicHialising and coaling stations at convenient points, no: only to maintain the holding force in a state of efficiency, but also to provide for the needs of a smashing force on its arrival, because its first requirements ' would nost certainly lie coal and refitting. This defence bv sea must: be adequate (o meet all possibilities. The Commonwealth cannot provide this from its own resources, any more than xjiritain can provide for tho defence of the whole Empire. There can bo no argument about that phase. The only room for discussion is on the allocation of the cost. Nn official statement is available vol. nnd Mr. Hughes nnd Mr. Massey both refuse to discuss the, matter, but it is quite certain they will put forward their

views on the Pacific problem very strongly and frankly at the proper time. It may be taken for granted that Admiral Henderson's scheme for Australian naval defence will be abandoned, but such parts of it as have been developed will be maintained. Thus Australia will be kept constantly ready to fight, and smaller ships, carrying tho nucleus of crews, will be kept in a state of efficiency. The Adelaide will be completed as soon as funds are available. . As a matter of fact, naval men, with whom her future has been discussed, deplore even tho suggestion that she should be allowed to rust at anchor in Sydney harbour. They regard tho Adelaide as likely to ho a most effective unit of the Fleet, and one of the most up-to-date warships of her kind. Meanwhile a controversy is raging as to the choice of names for the Conference. General Smuts started it by saying: "We must find ia name for future meetings.’’ Imperial Conference and Imperial Cabinet, it is contended, do not adequately describe the assembly, but it lais been suggested that Congress would. A “Times’’ correspondent prefers Britannic to either Empire or Imperial, and his view,is meeting with some sup-port.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SUBJECTS ON THE AGENDA LONG DEBATE ON ANGLO-JAP AN- , ESE TREATY EXPECTED. (Rec. June 20, 1.30 a.m.) London, June 18.

The first meeting of tho Imperial Conference will not be productive. Tho order of business and the method of procedure promise to provide discussion for practically tho whole day, and the agenda may have many subjects added that will ue.ver be referred to later. The subjects listed so far are: Anglo-Japan-ese Treaty renewal, foreign policy of the Empire, naval and military defence, communications, choosing tho official name, question of a permanent secretariat, position of Indians in the colonies. Dominion’ tariffs ns affecting the Dominions and Britain, immigration, and preliminary arrangements for a constitutional conference next year. It is known that the British and Australian delegates aro anxious to put naval defence ih the forefront on the business paper, but some of the other Dominion representatives are just as determined that it should be kept m the background and side-tracked if possible. The indications are that the Japanese Treaty will bo dealt with first. Probably tho whole of this week’s debating time will bo taken up with itOne thing now considered certain is that the White Australia policy will he accepted an axiomatic. Mr. Lloyd George will deliver an address of welcome. He will preside throughout, supported by Air. Chamberlain, and other Ministers. 'The sitting is expected to be confined to three days a week. , , There will he no set speeches and no verbatim record will be kept of the discussion, but a summary will be prepared by a special committee each day. This wifi not be circulated until all tnq delegate? agree that, it is well balanced ind correct.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DISCUSSION ON NAVAL DEFENCE AIR. LLOYD GEORGE SAID TO FAVOUR POSTPONEMENT. (Rec. June 19, 5.5 p.m.) Ottawa, June 17. It is reported from London that Air. Lloyd George will support Mr. Mcighan in urging the postponement ot discussion on Imperial naval defence. The opposition of Air. Hughes and A.r. Massey to this course will probably be met by a proposal to hold a conference between Britain, Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Now Zealand, at which all the problems of the Pacific would be reviewed.) It is felt that success will bo assured if Canada takes the lead. Such a conference would do more to settle the Pacific, problems than an alliance of navies. Mx*. Lloyd Geoige is said to be luke-warm regarding the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE IMPERIAL RELATIONSHIP MR. HUGHES INTERVIEWED. (Rec. June 19, 5.5 p.m-) London, Jthie 17. Air. Hughes, interviewed by tlie "Daily Telegraph,” said: "Thera line been a good deal of talk recently about changes in the Imperial relationship, and suggestions have been made to establish an Imperial Council, and even an Imperial Parliament. I am radically closed to both, if they are to be endowed with authority to legislate or have executive authority to act for the whole Empire. Tho practical difficulties are insuperable, and such proposals would not be acceptable io the Dominions, at any rate not to Australia. Those who make the suggestion do not seem to understand the principle on which the British commonwealth ot nations rests, namely, complete autonomy. Even al this moment there is uneasiness in the minds of some peopta m thDominions lest their rights should be impaled. Yet, along with this determination to govern themseUes in their own way, there is a recognition of the necessitv for unity as regards matters that affect , the Emuire. The problem w to find means by which two apparently conflicting attitudes may bo adjusted, it is clear the Dominions ca.o never have a real voice in the settlement of Imperr ial matters through being represents ot London continuously by representatives of theif own Governments. Lira only way is to bring the varrans Governments into daily touch with one another When Downing Street can speak to Melbourne, and Ottawa to M ellington by telephone wo shall have do e something to give every part * Empire an equal opportunity of cxpxe > in- opinions which should be «uthontative. opinions that were not merely the Government’s, but the PaihnmenU. I feel certain that a short time after the erection of a wireless c, rain out the Empire, the wireless telephone would permit of such discussions. A.us.”"NCrUlb A.scß.