Defence and Foreign Policies Still Indefinite

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 128, 16 June 1937, Page 5

Defence and Foreign Policies Still Indefinite

— Per Press Association-

(By Telegraph-

-Copyrisrht).

. . ' (Reeeived 16, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, June 15. The Imperial Conference terminated this morning- at St. " JTames Palace, with cordial speeches and handshac es among the Prime Jlinisters, The principal delegates, excepting Sir John Simon, assemhled in the gardens of tho Palace, where a group photograph was taken to adorn the walls of No. 10 Downing Street, where it will have a place with photographs of Empire legislatnres and alongside other histpric groups in the Empire 's history. No questions haye been more to the forefront than the proposed Anglo-Amqrican trade pact in conjunction with its repercussions on the Dominions, yet the summary of the proceedings timidly dismisses the subject which has aroused the most lively discussion thus; "The Conference noted the steps that have been taken by the United States Government concerning the possibility of securing a relaxation of quotas and other obstacles to international trade. It is hoped that every effort tending towards the promotion of international trade would be maintained and encouraged." Clearly much more wiU be heard of this subject in the near future, \ It chn be said on the credit side that the frahk interchange of views proved most valuable. Simultaneously it illustrated the defects of consultations carried out by dispatches. The visitors had thus first opportunity of appreciating at close hand the menacing European situation. Likewise they were enlightened by Mr. Baldwin's and Mr. Eden's blunt expositions of how the Dominions could not be immune from the turmoil of Europe. Undoubtedly all will leave the Conference Jeeply impressed and convinced by what was said, though Mr. Mackenzie King appears satisfied that whenever trouble oomes Canada will rest safely in America's bosom. The Australian delegation attached great imporance to deyelopment of co-operation between the several parts of the Empire. The New Zealand delegation also emphasised the aspect of co-operation so that expenditure on the three branches of the defence forces could be devised to ensure that New Zealand was efficient not only in local defence but in cooperation with other units of tho Commonwealth. New Zealand also attached "he greatest importance to the Singapore base. The Contfci'ence agreed that the increased armaments would be more than sufficient for the defence of Empire territories and trade and the fulfilment of obiigations. It recognised that it was the sole responsibility of the several British Commonwealth Parliament^ to deoide the natural scope of their own defence policy. Allusion fc? trade* in the Conference summary begins by the report affirming that questipns arising from the Ottawa Agreements can best be dealt with as occasion offers in separate discussions by. individual Governments. Following Mr. Walter Runciman 's statement on trade steps to ensure the freer flow of international trade, New Zealand suggested means for ensuring regulated expansion of the production and marketing of foodstuffs and other commodities.