IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 251, 18 July 1921, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

DELEGATES IN THREE DIVISIONS JAPANESE TREATY AND NAVAL DEFENCE DIVERGENT VIEWS By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright (Rec. July 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 16. The Australian Press Association is authoritatively assured that, dispassionately viewing the conference in retrospect, one realises that it without design, but inevitably, fell into three divisions, never hostile but mutually helpful, even when apparently antagonistic. The first division included British Ministers, who adopted a receptive rather than a prescriptive attitude, anxious to learn the Dominions’ views rather than impose their own, but nevertheless insistent in requiring the renewal of the Japanese Treaty, and persistent in representing Britain's inability any longer to bear the whole burden of the defence of the Empire, in which all the Dominions must share in future. The second division comprised Mr. Meighen and General Smuts. The former differed from the British regarding both the treaty and defence, but the latter was predisposed to support the treaty. In the third division were Mr. Hughes and Mr. Massey. The former approved of the treaty, provided it were rendered inoffensive to the United States. Mr. Massey whole-heartedly supported renewal. Both regarded naval defence as a matter of life and death to Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Meighen’s reasons for opposing ’the renewal of the Japanese Treaty were threefold—firstly, the conditions which necessitated the treaty in 1911 arc now non-existent; secondly, renewal would be regarded with disfavour by the United States; thirdly, the formation of such alliances was antagonistic to the spirit of the post-war times. Failing to secure denunciation of the treaty ho would have proposed the insertion of a clause exempting Canada until the Dominion Parliament approved. General Smuts concurred in the principle of Mr. Meighen’s arguments, but (f assured that renewal were Imperially necessary he would support the renewal. Mr. Meighen also was opposed to the Conference dealing with naval defence. He pointed out that the Canadian Government and Parliament refused to deal with Admiral Jellicoe’s report two sessions ago, because naval defence involved questions of foreign policy and constitutional control affecting the Admiralty authority on the one hand and Dominion authority on the other. Mr. Meighen advocated the suspension of action until the Conference had decided upon the precise mechanism under which the Dominions would give effect To their views on foreign affairs. General Smuts arrived at a similar conclusion by a different line of reasoning. He was emphatically opposed to any new defence commitments, as a contravention of the spirit of the League of Nations. A member of file Conference described General Smuts as going even furl her than Mr. Meighen hi opposition to defence, and said he had out-Heroded Herod.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

SUBJECTS DEALT WITH BY CONFERENCE WORK OF COMMITTEES MR. MASSEY PLEASED WITH PROGRESS MADE. London, July 15. Up to the present, the Imperial Conference has held twenty-four meetings. The opening speeches of the Prime Ministers disclosed the view-point of each Dominion on the various matters to be discussed. Then camo statements by Mr. Winston Churchill, regarding the Crown colonies and dependencies, and by Lord Curzon on the present state of foreign affairs. This cleared the way, and the Conference then dealt with the following subjects:—The constitutional relationship between the component parte of the Empire; the European situation, as apart horn foreign affairs generally; the AngloJapanese agreement; tho mandates, particularly respecting Mesopotamia and Palestine; tho League of Nations; naval and military air defence; German reparations; the Anglo-Egyptian policy; Empire communications on sea, land, and air; the development of civil aviation; telegraphic communications throughout the Empire, and the Imperial Shipping Committee’s report on Imperial migration.

The discussions on these matters hare not reached finality. In respect of some of them, committees, comprising the overseas Prime Ministers, with the English Ministers who are more particularly concerned, are sitting separately to examine the questions in detail, with the object of making recommendations to the Conference. For instance, tho question of German reparations is being dealt with in a separate conference at the Treasury, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer presiding, while such questions as sea, land, air, and telegraph communications and tho better dissemination of Empire news, migration, and the control of the Now Hebrides, are being discussed under the presidency of the Secretary of State for tho Colonies. A decision on the Japanese Alliance is temporarily in abeyance, pending proposals emanating from the American Government regarding the Washington conference, and the conversations proceeding between the great Powers. Mr. Massey has attended every meeting of tho Conference. His attitude has been to approach all questions from tho point of view of tho unity of the Empire, with full consideration of New Zealand’s interests. He has expressed himself ns pleasod with the progress made, the frankness and candour of the discussions, and the willingness on the part of the British Government to place all the cards on the table, and give tho overseas Prime Ministers the fullest information on every subject.

Official reports have been issued on defence of rigid secrecy. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STATUS~OF~iNDIANS (Rec. July 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 15. The Conference Committee to-day considered the status of Indians in the Dominions. Air. Churchill presided. Mt. E. S. Montagu (Secretary of State for india), Mr. Hughes, Mr. Massey, Mr. Ballantyuo for Canada (Mr. Meighen being absent, receiving the Freedom of London), . the Maharao of Cutch, Mr. Sastri, General Smuts, Sir Thomas Smartt, and Colonel] Mentz were present. There was a lengthy discussion, mostly in relation to the position of Indians in South Africa. Tho question was eventually referred to the Conference as a whole. Tho question of immigration wns not raised, and no reference was made to White Australia or the rights of Indians to enter. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AIR COMMUNICATION EXPERTS’ REPORTS CONSIDERED. (Rec. July 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 15. Tho Imperial Conference met in the afternoon, the question of air communication being considered. Reports from ex- (

ports were heard. Some of them were inclined to believe the matter premature. Tho majority favoured a practical test over an extended period. Mr. Hughes remarked that the air proposals were receiving the same obstruction as the earliest train services meet, but the obstruction in the case of the railways was overcome. The naval question is still being considered. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.