DISARMAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1921, Page 2

DISARMAMENT.

MR HARDING’S PROPOSALS. CANADA AND N.Z. VIEWS. “THE times” SERVICE. (Received This Day nt 8 a.m.) v LONDON, July 11. Mr Meighen interviewed said M. Harding's proposal offers a new hone and promises relief to the distrr.cte 1 world. Nowhere will it be more eagerly . ; welcomed than in Canada where theehas always been an unwavering belief that the issues involved can best be settled by a free conference of the 1 nations concerned. Canada will unque® tionablv seek every means to ensun success. Mr Massey interviewed said: 111 years jit may happen tint the Empire will . again be called upon to defend tright,s and lilierties. The time there fore, is most opportune to secure in understanding which for will ensure peace and goodwill. MR HUGHES PLEASED. • (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) ' LONDON, July. 11. H Mr Hughes is immensely pleased at ■Ane new disarmament development, his view being summarized in remark— , “We have got all we set out to get.” HUGHES AND METGHEN SPAR. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) EONDON, July 11 Mr Harding’s invitation and Hon Lloyd George’s repTy overshadowed the Proceedings at the Conference of Premiers, yet the discussion of foreign relations was continued, -Mr Meighen and Mr Hughes taking opposite sides. Mr Hughes took exception to Mr Meighon’s veiled suggestion that Canada would judge the rights of yi quarrel before rallying to help the Motherland. Mr Hughes replied that Mr Meighen’s attitude was exactly correct and academic. Australia expected nothing from Canada and South Africa, nor did they expect anything from Australia. That was quite right, hut they owed all to England. The Empire and Dominions had the same rights as a son coming of age. Similarly the father could legally turn the son adrift- at 18, but what a poor world it would lie, if every son and every father exercised his rights to the letter of 'the law. The world would not be satisfied with that kind of thing. It would never do in family life or in the family of Empire.

MR HUGHES’ APPRECIATION

OF HARDING INVITATION

(Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, July H. At the Conference Mr Hughes said the invitnion from President Harding to the Allied and Associated Powers is message which the world will hw| with joy. It holds out the hope to all mankind. In outlining the object of the Imperial Conference to the Fe eral Parliament in April he said that war was a curse and we should do all things in our power to prevent it. Therefore the ideal to which the Conference should aim in the first step to peace was a renewal of the Anglo-Ja-panese Treaty, in such form as was acceptable to Britain, America, Japan and ourselves. The Prime Minister in the House of Commons today has clearly that as a result of deliberations at the Imperial Conference, that ideal-is at last on a fair way to realisation. The nations concerned in what may be called Pacific problems are.being invited to meet in conference. I hope and feel sure an arrangement will be arrived at, satisfactory to Japan, America, China and the Empire, that null leave the road clear to a greater conference on disarmament, which President Hafding has invited and at which all the great -u'y; powers will he represented if they desire disarmament. # The significance of the Prime Minister’s statement is therefore revealed by Die consideration of % both these facts. Alone they would T hold little hope for permanent relieffrom ,the suicidal polioy of larger and larger armaments. Together they hold out* jeal prospects of peace and freedom from that night mare hanging like ft cloud above the heads of the people, especially three naval poArera, T rejoice such p lead hn» beep givers