Sir John Salmond.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1922, Page 4

Sir John Salmond.

IAI PR FUSION OF WASHINGTON. WELLINGTON, May 8. • I am satisfied that over and above the formal results embodied in the treaties, the Coiifereme has to a very actable degree promoted the poae and \\ el fa re of the world by inducing mutual tri st and confidence between three Great Powers, the British Empire, Japan, and the United States.” These are the words of Sir John Salmmul New Zealand's representative at the Washington Conference. He returned to Wellington by the .Manuka to-day and made use of the words quoted when interviewed hv a Press repre.-eh-tative.

Sir John stated that he -left New Zealand in October and reached Washington just in time to take part as the representative of the Dominion at the impressive ceremony of burying the Unknown American Soldier at the national cemetery, Arlington. On the following day the Washington Conference was opened, and Mr Hughes, the American Secretary of State, made hi*, dramatic announcement of the courageous and statesmanlike proposals of the American Government for the reduction of the world’s fighting fleets and the cessation of naval competition. The discussion on these proposals and tlie questions relating to the Far East continued at Washington for no less than three months, and resulted in the signing of a series of treaties so important and so significant as to make the Washington Conference a notable event in history, lt was a dramatic occasion when on the last day of the Conference at the public sitting, the representatives of the nine States represented at Washington put their hands and seals to these great irterliiillonal documents. “The whole British delegation, comprising the reproseritatiyes of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and New Zealand, co-operated throughout the Conference with absolute harmony and with no serious difference of opinion,” said Sir John. “Air Balfour, by virtue of liis personality ability, and prestige, exercised a predominant influence, not merely over the delegation itsel, but over the whole Conference, and I am glad to see that Iris services to the British Empire and indeed to the world, have since been recognised with the distinguished honours which have been conferred upon him. Throughout the Conference we received from the American Government and people unremitting kindness and courtesy and the utmost liannon prevailed on all matters between the representatives of the Empire and those of the United States. I am satisfied that over and above the formal results embodied in the treaties the Conference ha s to a very notable degree promoted ; the peace arid welfare of the world liy , inducing mutiiql trust and confidence ij between three Great Powers, trio Bri-''

tish Kippire, Japan, arid the United States of America. These are the Powers winch dominate the Pacific ocean, arid in whose harmony and co-opera-tion the Australasian colonies nro so deeply and immediately interested,”

* While in America Sir John, addressed I the New York Bill- Association and I Harvard University. On his arrival in England lie had tile honour as the representative of New Zealand at the Washington Conference of being received iii a private audience by his Majesty the tying.