IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1923, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

PREFERENCE FOR. APPLES. (Special to’ Australian press Essn.) [Received this day at 9.-15 n.in.) LONDON, Nov. 1. .Mr Massey placed before the Imperia Conference, New Zealand's claim li preference on apples. The matter i: tinder consideration. PRAISE KOR PREMIER. LONDON. Nov. 1. Tile "Evening News" says that Mi .Massey is a prime lavoiiriic among-! the Prime -Ministers at Ihe conference. He has truly robed New Zealand’s patriotism in offers of help towards national defence. PACIFIC DEFENCE. (Received this day at 9.15 a.m.) LONDON. Nov. 1 The “Saturday Review’’ says that thou oil nothing has been said to break the secrecy of the conference deliberations. .Mr Massey who is a very downrighl man, has been drawing attention to the pressing necessity which exists in the opinion of New Zealand and Australia for a considerable increase in the fleet and air services in the interexts of the security of the Empire, particularly in the Pacific. To him it is clear, as it always has been to us, that the much belauded Washington treaties do not give anything like adequate protection to 'British interests in the Pacific

CON FEE ENCE’S SYMPATHY. [Reuters Telegrams.] (Received this dav at 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, November 1. The Imperial Conference adopted a resolution expressing profound regret at the death of Air Bonin' Law and deep sympathy in the irreparable loss the larnily and the Empire has sustained. A FI RTH Fit REPORT. (Received this day at 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, November 1. Lt.-Col. h. O. Wilson, interviewed, said that both Conferences had already disposed, in principle, of the majority of subjects included in the agenda, and thi' work of l rauskiliiig .these opinions into practical form had been remitted to about a dozen committees, which included manv experts from both Britain and the Dominions. Colonel Wilson is a member of eight committees, including the one dealing with reciprocity in the enforcement of judgments and arbitration awards throughout the Empire subject to local conditions in the Dominions. States and Provinces which have it entirely within within their discretion as to whether they sanction the enforcement of the decisions and awards made in other Dominions. States and Provinces, regarding workmen’s compensation for the purpose of securing uniformity. This, principally, has reference to maritime labour.

It is understood that Col. Wilson found himself in a minority of one on the committee dealing with IV-oiT and raw materials when lie endeavoured to secure the adoption of Air Bruce’s policy for licensing imports, hut withdrew opposition in accordance with the general understanding that there was to he no minority reports. It is officially stated the conferences aTe endeavouring to conclude before the meeting of Parliament on the 13th. w Air Sapru interviewed, said the formula is that advancement for India does not mean the immediate reversal of the Konya decision, hut the dor which is closed now will open. “Without being unduly optimistic I look forward to a better future for Indians in the Empire. Certainly only Air Smuts stands in the way. The other Premiers are with India. The Conference endorsed the 1921 resolution regarding the conference, and Mr Baldwin road out the following formula agreed upon between Lord Devonshire and Air Sapru. Government cordially accepted Sapru's proposal that, there should he full consultation and discussion' between the secretary ol State for the Colonies and the committee appointed by the Government of India, upon all questions affecting British Indians domiciled in British colonies, protectorates and mandated territories. At the same time Lord Devonshire was caret ul to explain that before the decisions were taken, rs the result of discussions with the committee, consultations with the local and colonial Governments concerned would he necessary. The icst of the formula was summed up in Lord Devonshire’s Statement on the position of Kenya."