Imperial Conference

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1921, Page 2

Imperial Conference

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

CONFERENCE CONTINUES j LONDON, June 25. Thu Conference resumed its discussions on foreign policy. All tho delegates spoke at length. The .speeches were confidential on questions involving most intimate relations. It Ims been decided to preserve the closest secrecy. The conference will he continued on Monday. The delejgatjes are leaving London for the week-end. Sir. Wm. Hurries a New Zealand Minister, attended the Conference at the invitation of Mr Lloyd George. Mr Lloyd George and Mr Churchill will reply to to-day’s speeches on Monday. AFTER DINNER SPEECHES. LONDON, Juno 25. The United Kingdom Parliamentary Association tendered a dinner to the Imperial Conference delegates, and twohundred others in the Royal Gallery in the House of Lords. Lord Birkenhead presided. Banners presented by the Dominion, were flown amid the decoration. (lowers and tricolour. The New Zealanders persent included Sir J. Allen, Sir J. G. Findlay, Hon W. Hall Jones, Sir Win Herries, and Sir T. Mackenzie.

Mr Lloyd George was unable to attend ,owng to medical advice. Other Ministers were present. Lord Birkenhead proposed: “Our Overseas Colleagues,” and said: “The. Parliamentary spirit was one of the strongest bonds of union as between the Empire and the people. The aftermath of the war had brought unrest among the industrial populations of the world. The evil-minded people h*d tried to take advantage of this condition to utilise propaganda as part of air unscrupulous conspiracy. Feelings of common interest between Britain and the Dominions were best for th c Empire and best for each Dominion. Britain appreciated not only the self-sacrifice, but the •single-heartedness and purpose with which the visitors faced delicate problems. Mr Hughes had told him that the criticisms levelled- at the Lloyd George Government, compared with those chronic in Australia, might he called nauseating eulogy, (laughter). Mr Hughes stood in the nature of a political lighthouse, pointing the way and bringing encouragement in the darkest hour, and his never-failing courage was of the greatest advantage to the race and Empire during the gravest hours of war. Mr Massey, he continued, was another from a far Dominion, bringing words of hope.

The Homeland, he said, was facing a most trying blast of industrial storm hut lie hoped the visitors would see ii win through before leaving. Mr Meighen (Canada) and Mi SmArtt (South Africa) responded. Mr Whitley proposed tho toast o

‘The Parliaments of the Empire.” He xtended a special welcome to their rdi.m colleagues. Mr Hughes, in responding, said it

mild he desirable if eac’i Dominior

.inld have a representative in the "'oreigu Office. Ho hoped that America would listen to what the Dominions had to say. Such sentiments must appeal to them when coming from communities which were going through the same process of development as their own. He hoped they would join with the British Empire in taking a definite step towards a halt in 'lie race of armaments. ; Mr .Massey supported Mr Hughes. He s.aid he hoped the Conference would result in a, benefit not onfySso thc Empire, but to the world. „ M. Sastri (India) also spoke regarding the aspirations of India. LONDON, June 25 At the House of Lords a ditmerwas Avon to tlie Dominions’ delegates to the Imperial Conference. It was a rihiant gathering. Mr Massey spoke in response to the toast “The Dominions.” He made a strong plea for British unity, lie said a house divide:’ against itself could not stand. There mi list he a sinking of differences, and ilso a combatting of influences which •night lie at work to bring about a weakening and disintegration of tlie Km pi re.