Imperial Conference

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1921, Page 2

Imperial Conference

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. MR MASSEY’S OPINIONS. j LONDON, July (5. . j Mr Massey, speaking at the conferenc<3 on the subject of inter-imperial 1 , communications, emphasised the pau- ! city of the Dominions’ news in the British press, which was inadequate for . I the. purposes of educating the people , , lof Britain on overseas matters. He ox- j ■ pressed the opinion also that it would j ' 1 he impracticable to conduct Imperial ; j discussions with the Dominions, j 01 . | amongst Dominions themselves, bv wire t [ less telegraphy or telephony because of f j the lack of secrecy and the impossibility I j of satisfactorily conducting discussiotls

in code. Improvements in communications, for a considerable time to come, must be made upon a basis of steamships, railways, and cable communications It was not pfacticable at the present, at all events, to think of rapid communications with Australia and j New Zealand by aeroplan ti in all seasons and weathers, Mr Massey urged the necessity for a minimum of sixteenknot boats for mails and passengers between New. Zealand and Britain, via Panama, which would accomplish the journey under 30 days. Even if this arrangement required a subsidy, it ought to he done. The mail services were very had,, and had not been improved since the war. He had expected better results from the Imperial Shipping Committee, hut shipping freights wer e now so high that with lower prices in : some instances the. producers in New j Zealand were receiving practically ho profits. Mr Massey instanced the case of a recent shipper of beef to London, who sustained a loss of a half-penny per pound after paying freight and expenses. It would be impossible to keep up the beef trade with England unless the freights were reduced. Improved communications, whether by post, wireless, cable or steamer, would lielp to strengthen the bonds of Empire and was worthy or every encouragement, lie saw; no objection to the setting up of a committee of representatives of the Empire to enquire regarding communications, but unless something more was attempted than had been done in the past it was not worth the trouble. CONFERENCE HAPPENINGS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 0. The Conference met at the Treasury ••nd discussed Reparations. No decision was reached. It is understood Mr Hughes and Mr Massey are not displeased with the proposed basis of distribution for Australia and New Zealand. It is reported the British Crown Colonics arc taking eighty per cent, the lalance being spread over India and Dominions.

The Emigration Committee reported favourably on t'ne proposes. Australia and New Zealand are willing to co-operate with the British Government iu the matter of assisted passages and also in financing land

let tiers. Canada is passively acquiescent, South Africa standing out and not encouraging immigration w Ll,out capital.