Imperial Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1921, Page 3

Imperial Conference.

AUSTRALIAN ANU N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION SPECIAL DECISIONS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 18.

The special Conference Committee met at the Colonial Office, Hon IV. Churchill in tlie chair. Messrs Hughes, Massey. Sinartt, Mentz, and Ballantyne were present and discussed wireless telephony. After hearing statements by the Postmaster General and Sir Henry Norman, the Committee recommended that the development in wireless telephony whether Governmnt or private enterprise should be investigated. and reports furnished to the Government of India and Domin ions.

The Committee then considered the question of nationality and approved of Mr Short’s proposals suggesting the acquisition of British nationality by persons of British descent of the second and subsequent generations born abroad which should be subject to the registration of birth and renewal of 'registration as a British subject oil attaining the majority. Tlie Committee resolved that a conference of patent officiols of the Dominions should meet in London at an onirlv date. 'Die Patent Conference would consider the praoticabTeness' of instituting a system of granting patents which would be valid throughout the British Empire.

Lastly, the Committee considered the representational of the Empire Pitess Union and .resolved that the Committee agreed with the resolution passed at Ottawa in 1920, that any assistance given by Governments of the Empire towards reduction charges for press services by cable or wireless should appear specifically in the estimates of public expenditure and should not affect the freedom of newspapers. The committee were in full sympathy with a reduction of rates, both by cable and wireless. for press messages and recommends the most favour able examination by the Go-

vernment concerned of any prnetieabh proposals to that end.

PRIME MINISTERS

(Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 19. The Prime Ministers except Mr Meighen, will be the guests of the City of Bath next week-end. Mr Hughes will probably leave tor Australia at the end of August or beginning of September. He will probably bo unable to visit France. Although it lV desirable that an Australasian representative visit Washington to present their close connection with Pacific problems it is now practicably certain no action will lie taken unless strong representations are made bv Australian and New Zealand parliaments.

| MUCH STILL TO DO. I (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) j LONDON July 19. i There is an impression that because Mr Meighen is leaving for Canada on Friday that the Imperial Conference is practically terminated. On th ( .

contrary, many important subjects remnin to be discussed. It is impossible to close before the second week* in AnI guist. Mr Hughes and Mr Massey came to deal with two matters, Treaty and Pacific problems and neither are settled, but Mr Hughes will insist upon some form of guarantee before leaving. It is reported unofficially that- negotiations with the Admiralty are proceeding satisfactorily. but a settlement is not in sight