Imperial Conference

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1921, Page 3

Imperial Conference

CABLE NEWS.

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

| THE DELEGATES’ ACTION. IUSTItALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. (Received This Day at 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, Aug 1 In connection with the suggested Pacific Conference, despatches were exchanged hourly for over a week between the Ear East, America and London, the phases changing constantly until even the most interested became befogged Japan’s official view being that the Pacific Conference should he held, perhaps at Loudon, perhaps at Washington, at which Messrs Hughes, Massey and Mcighen could lie afforded an opportunity of stating their case, Init weekend developments indicated those gentlemen might attend and speak hut not vote.

When the delegates met 10-day and resumed, the details only required an arrangement for Pacific discussion, hut all Prime Ministers repudiated any knowledge of special arrangements authorising them to attend, esjK'cially in view of Friday’s meeting.- at wliieh, as cabled, indications were given that only one representative ol the Empire, would lie summoned. The meeting was quite unprepared for the dramatic announcement that the Pacific Conference would not be held at all. The position now is that the Empire view "ill lie put by one delegate. The Imperial Conference favours lion Lloyd George, who hoard the whole of the foreign affairs discussion and also the Anglo-.Tapnnese Treaty, naval dofeme and Far Eastern debates, so gaining the best inside knowledge of the Dominions viewpoint.

The Imperial Conference nominally concludes on Thursday. General Smuts, Cutch and other members of these delegations are at ranging to depart immediately.

Air Hughes and Mr Massey cannot connect with steamers earlier than 21th. The interval will he occupied with minor matters of especial interest to Australasia.

Mr Hughes is adverse to the decision to journey by way of Sueg. and will probably he joining by steamer from a Mediterranean port after the Amiens ceremonies and the settling of commercial matters as France has requested.

Continued sittings will enable him to face many problems still untouched.

To-day the Conference discussed wireless, and air communication committees reports. After a long debate neither matter was decided.

Postal opinion strongly favours the committee’s scheme and a majority oi members of the Conference suggest its adoption. Mr Hughes opposed the two thousand miles radius plan at every stage, and is now continuing his opposition, contending this idea was acceptable years ago, hut nothing short of direct communication conforms to modern opinion. If the scheme is to no exploited let it he something unlikely to become out of date quickly. Direct communication between Britain and the Dominions is essential.

In view of this probability, no de vision was reached, pending further in formation.