Imperial Conference

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1921, Page 1

Imperial Conference

INTERESTING PARTICULARS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, July 11. The Imperial Conference delegates are occupied fully, except at week-ends. The long daily sittings have prevented any serious attention to speeches and public functions, which sometimes it is (■veil impossible to attend. The proceedings of the Conference are kept a close secret in London, the Dominion prime Ministers not getting their usual publicity. Mr Massey has stopped making speeches at dinners on account of stress of work. Mr Hughes is improvising and adapting old matter Consequently his addresses are colorless and not arresting.

This conference probably will go on record as the most continuous, and longest session. The tension will last till July 21st, Then Mr Meighan departs for Canada. The conference is continuing to discuss minor matters, the delegates having more time to do themselves justice in public. It would be wrong to say that interest in them is lacking, ns the newspapers display crumbs of information. Mr Massey and Mr Hughes both intend being home by Oct. 7th.

In spite of the continuity of the .'(inference, only the preliminaries have ot been discussed.

Mr Massey says it would bo worth considering whether the Conference ought not to sit in the evenings. “1 don’t want,” ho says, “to go back to New Zealand and tell them we have done practically nothing. I want to b t > able to tell them we have done somciliitig for the benefit of tin l whole Empire.” Mr Hughes is also reported to be fretting and impatient at the time •lasted, but the Australian representatives are not responsible. “The Times” makes complimentary reference to Mr Massey’s tenth nnnixci sarv of accession to office. Tin piper says: He lias ever been a determined lighter, always pledging tie energy and interests of the state in the best interests of the Empire.” The article eulogises the “whole-hearted manner in which he urged the people of New Zealand to throw in the full weight of their patriotism and resources into the Allies fight for world freedom. There were not any moments nf hesitation on his part in guaranteeing the practical patriotism of Now Zealand on behalf of the Empire.” The article also refers eulogistieally to New Zealand’s war effort, giving statistics, of its contribution in men. It adds a tribute to Mr Massey's war cabinet attitude regarding the war cabinet, also bis efforts in favour of imperial prefer- ( cnee. It records his useful work at the Peace Conference. Other leading London and provincial papers make complimentary reference to the occasion. The Indian delegates to the Conference and the Premiers, except General Stair.ls spent the week-end at Chequers Court Mr T.lovd George’s place. All complain of Hie heat which is 92 in the shade, the highest for <lO years. Several of the ladies were affected.. The party visited historical places, including Penn’s Birthplace, Milton’s eot(awe. Hampden’s House, and they inspected the document ary protest against “Ship Money. The Imperial Conference held a special meeting at Downing Street on Mon'lnv morning for the purpose of drafting a reply to President Harding’s dis-

armament memo. General Smuts was Hie only absentee. The Conference unanimously endorsed President Harding’s proposal. Mr Massey has been offered tbe freedom of Bath and Darlington. CONFERENCE DTSOUSSTONS. (Received This Day at 9.J0 a.m.) LONDON, July 11. During the afternoon, the Cniiforemdiscussed Egypt; concerning which land Curzon made a statement regarding tlio future policy, which commend'd itself practically to tlm ntnaniinons support of the Premiers Conference Thereafter they discussed the possibilities of closer relations between the Dominions and Motherland concernin ', foreign affairs. This discussion originated in a resolution at the 1918 Cor. ference recommending the holding ol a constitutional conference.

To-day meeting was devoted to heariuir proposals in reference to tbe agenda •it future conferences, at which Pi<* miers. Lenders of Opposition and other parties should) participate. Messrs Hughes, Smuts, Meighen and Mas -\v outlined their individual ideas by which constitutional changes can no effected.

The Conference has adjourned until to-morrow.