IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1923, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

ARRIVAL OF DELEGATES. [Reuters Tki.kohams.] (Received this day at 12.25 p.ni.) LONDON, Oct. i. The Imperial Conference opened in a prey drizzle. The crowd in Downing Street was large enough to necessitate the attention of police. Hundreds ol photographers made wil/l rushes as the delegates arrived. Mr Baldwin and Lord Devonshire were early on the scene. Hon IV. F. Massey was the first -Donimion representative to appear. After hint came Lord Cnrzon. lion Lloyd G. (Interne, Lord Red, Snpru. and' Maharajah of Alwar. The hitter with Lis secretaries was attired in gorgeous Oriental rohes. Dalai. Mackenzie King. Warren, Smuts and his Ministers, Burton and Dewet, and lastly the Free Staters. Cosgrave and Fitzgerald. Ihe delegates arrived in motor-ears carrying Hags of the various Dominions.

Hon Mr Baldwin welcomed the delegates individually in the Cabinetroom.

- THE CONFERENCE’S DOINGS

(Received this dav at 12 15 p.m.) LONDON', Oct. 1.

It is noteworthy that the sole exception wearing the conventional top hat was General Smuts, who wore it grey trilby and a blue serge suit. Tito Conference Communique states Hint Mr Baldwin gave it general review of the Imperial and International situation.

Mr Mackenzie King, Mr Massey, General Smuts, Mr Warren, President t osgrave and Mr Alwar briefly replied. Mr Mackenzie King moved mid .dr Massey seconded, greetings and fidelity to the King, hoping their Majesties would be long snared to strengthen the ties of love and devotion, uniting the peoples of the British Commonwealth. A resolution was carried expressing sympathy with our old and faithful ally Japan and expressing the confident expectation that Japan would rapidly recover and pursue the great part which she was destined to till in the world. The Dominion representatives were most impressed with Mr Baldwin's lucidity ami comprehensiveness. and they deferred their detailed replies till the explanation of the British case was completed by Lord Ctirzon and Lord Devonshire on Wednesday, when the Conference resumed. The Kconomie Conference meets ‘omorrnw when Lord Devonshire will make a statement regarding the Crown Colonies. THE BRITISH DELEGATES. [Reuters Telegrams.] ■ • (Received this day at 12 noon), h* LONDON. Oct. 1. The British delegates at the opening of the imperial Conference "ere Mr Baldwin, Lord ,Salisbury, Lord Cnrzon, and Lord Devonshire. MR MASSEY INTERVIEWED. (Received this dav at. 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, October I. ■ Mr ’ Massey, on being interviewed,said that lie was impressed by the tone of the speeches which, although brier, were on a high plane. “My speech was the briefest,’.' he said, “because, as I explained, it was futile discussing the problems before definite proposals are before the Conference. I was much pleased at Mr Baldwin’s speech which was devoid of rhetoric, but intensely practical. Mr Massey amusingly commented on the seating arrangements at the Conference table, lie being placed at one end of the table, and the Irish Free State representative at the other extreme end, with Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Newfoundland in between. Mr Massey jocularly remarked that Ulster and Dublin are separated by half the British Empire. It is understood that three days of this week will be devoted to three maui questions, namely: Economics, foreign affairs, and inter-imperial trade.