IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1923, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

MR BALDWIN’S OPENING ADDRESS.

[ R KUTEItS T Kl, K<; It A MS. ]

1 Received this day at 8 i.m.)

LONDON", OftoLer I. At the Imperial Uonfeience, .Mr Baldwin in his opening speech, very heartily welcomed the delegates to the Conference. He pointed out that except for (ieneral Smuts, .Mr Massey, and Lord (Tlrzon, who had importantly participated in the Conferences since ID! 7. the delegates except Mr linrton were' attending the Imperial Conference lor the lirst time. He cordially welcomed Mr Cosgrove and his colleagues, also .Mr Mackenzie King of whom he said they would rely to continue the high tradition of his piedetessurs. I hey Would he especially glad to heoefit by his knowledge of industry problems. Mr ’Warren was no stranger to Lngland nor Mr He Wet, whom Mr Baldwin cordially greeted. It was a ideasure to have w ith them th e distinguished representatives of the Indian Empire.

Reviewing the history of the reparations problem since May, 1021, he emphasised there was no difference of opinion among the Allies on the principle that Germany should be made to pay to the utmost limit of her ability. The Government had mi easy task in carrying out n policy of neither helping nor hindering the action of fh< Allies, but he dared to hope they Imd succeeded in the main, in maintaining a strict neutrality. Notes had been exchanged between Britain and France since the January Conference, which more and more revealed an honest divergence of opinion in regal'd to the best method of obtaining reparations and advancing the cause of the pennant, out peace of Europe. The divergence was reflected in differences of temperament and of the outlook of the two nations which it would he foolish to ignore. hut the last twenty years had shown that they were nut incompatible with whole hearted eo-operaiion in Hie face of grave danger. Mr Baldwin refcriing to the Italo(ireek crisis particularly drew attention to the very useful, effective part played by the League of Nations. Members of the Council of the l.ehgue deserved the greatest credit for placing the permanent interests of peace above wlmt might have seemed the immediate intents of tile League. Had the 'l/cague not existed or not acted as

it did, a resort to arms would almost inevitably have occurred. The modep ration and cnnimnnsonse shown by the ""•s League under very trying circumstances had strengthened its hold upon the confidence of reasoning men everywhere. They had every reason to he ■satisfied with the part played by the British Empire delegations at Geneva in contributing to this hapjiy result. Dealing with the Turkish Treaty. Mr Baldwin was of opinion that after hearing the .statement by Lord Cur/.on in 'that connection, that tlho delegates would agree the treaty not only safeguarded the essential interests of the British Empire, without damaging British prestige, hut had done something to reconcile the different national and religious interests, winch so often troubled that quarter of the world, and might have laid the foundation for a period of comparative tranquility and economic reconsti net ion. Referring to the debt to America, he

emphasised the burden was very heavy, amounting to seveupence in the pound income ax. its repayment would demand all our energies, hut the funding was the only course consistent with the supreme standard of British credit, and was essential to the preliminary restoration of the normal economic life of the world. The debts of great nations must lie recognised it the Inundations of commercial progress are to stand. Ret'eri'iiur to Imperial Delenee, be said the results of the ’Washington Conference were exceeding the most sanguine expectations, and were in no small measure due to the last Imperial Conference and the successful cooperation of the British Empire delegation, Referring to the decision to reiu-

force the defensive air forces, he reite-

rated the willingness of Government to co-operate with other Governments in limiting air armaments.

Dealing with tile effects of post-war .unsettleincut, Mr Baldwin said unhappily the recent improvement in trade find been checked. He pointed out there were still a- million and a quarter unemployed compared with a little o\ci a million and a. half when the last Conference met. The question.of interimperial trade was one of the most important items on the agenda. He was confident they would h e able to devise mutually advantageous measures by way of redistributing the population improving transport and means ol communication and generally increasing the facilities for the growth of trade within the Empire. LONDON, Del. 2.

At the Conference, Mr Baldwin said

the economic condition of Europe made it necessary fo turn their eyes

elsewhere.. The Empire’s resource'/ were boundless mid Il:oi*e was n chi„,ant need for development, He hoped tile conference would reach tin agreement on the steps to provide, at an early date, for an ample supply of raw materials on which the world s trade depended, thus expanding business and leading to an improvement of the condition of the people. He looked confidently for a solution of Indian problems, but it was on the Dominions Governments that the Empire must roly. Europe was spending more on armies than in It'll and their economic solidarity was destroyed. The British Empire peoples all desired peace above everything else. r l be League of Nations promised to be a great factor in achieving this end. It the British Commonwealth collapsed, civilisation would disappear. Tindelegates were on an equal footing. No one government could bind the others. All must agree to act effec-

tively. Mr Baldwin said he had no doubt that an agreement, would be achieved, and that not only would Empire problems be solved, but world troubles brought, nearer a settlement. Mr Massey hoped the Conference would succeed in doing something towards the solution of as many as possible of the problems that bad arisen. Mr Smuts welcomed the Irish dele-

gates whose presence showed what . goodwill could effect, He urged the .jpjVjnferenee, without threats, to speak Cjn-ith a voice that would bo listened to Mil world’s affairs and exert enormous influence towards a settlement of Europe. .

IRISH DELEGATES’ GOOD FATTIT (Received this dav at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 2

General Smuts urged the necessity of supporting the League of Nations whose credit was enhanced by the Italian crisis. He believed inter-Empire trade could be fostered without staining England’s settled tiseal policy. The outer Empire also needed renewed trade with Europe.

President Cosgrave stressed the Irish delegates’ good faith and desire to solve problems and shoulder common burdens.