IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1923, Page 4

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

A SUMMARY. AUSTRALIAN AMD N.SS. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON) November 10. A summary of the proceedings of the Imperial Conference has been issued. The section dealing with defence says after Hie whole field was surveyed, the Conference decided it was advisable to record in the following resolutions its conclusions on the chief matters which were discussed:—(ll The Conference affirm it is necessary to provide for the adequate defence of territories and trade of the several countries comprising the 10m-1-iie. (In this connection the Conference expressly recognises it is for the fulfilments of the several parts ol the Umpire, upon the recommendation of their respective Governments, to decide the nature and extent, of any action which should he taken hv Hem. (It) Subject to this provision, the Conference suggests the following as guiding principles: - (a) Primary responsibility ol each position of Umpire represented at C-onter-ence for its own local defence; (Ip adequate provision for safeguarding maritime communication of the several parts of the Umpire and routes and waterways along and through whir! their armed forces and trade pass; (e) provision bases and facilities for repair and fuel so as to ensure mobility of (loots; (d) desirability of maintenance of a minimum standard of naval strength: namely, equality with naval strength of any foreign power in accordance with the provisions of Washington treaty, on the limitation of armaments as approver! by Britain ami all self-governing Dominions and India ; (e) desirability of development of air forces in several countries ol the Umpire upon such lint's ns will make possible by means of adoption, as far as is practicable. of a common system ol organisation anil training and use of uniform manuals, patterns of anus, equipment and stores (with the exception of the type of air craft! for each part of the Umpire, as il may determine to cooperate with other parts with the least possible delay ami greatest efficiency. (-1! In the application of these principles to the several parts of the Umpire concerned, the Conference notes: - (a) The deep interest of Australia. New Zealand and India in the provision of a naval base ai Singapore as essential to ensuring the mobility necessary to provide sciirity of territories and trade of the Empire in eastern waters (h) The necessity for the maintenance of a safe passage along the great route to (he east through the Mediterranean and Red Seas.

(e) The necessity for the maintenance by Britain lor home defence of an air force of sufficient strength to give adequate protection against air attack by the strongest air force within stliking distance of her shores. (,"i) The Conference while deeply concerned for the paramount importance of providing for the safety and integrity of all parts of the Empire, earnestly desires as far as is consistent in this consideration, a furl her limitat ion of armaments and trusts no opportunity may ho lost to promote this object. A ft ISIJCTTY .RKL’ORT. LONDON, Nov. Ft. The Imp. rial Conference repot t says that on the question ol publicity, it was agieed that the fullest information possible .- bonhl be transmitted to the various overseas Governments;. As the Colifeiem e progressed. : iuteim id • from time to time were given the delegates !>y Lord ('itry.ou on the main feature.- of the international situation as they developed from day to day. Every question was carefully explored and a

Common ntuler.standing reached upon the main heads of the foreign policy. '1 he. Conference cordially welcomed a re ncv.al by the I 'resident o; the Ceited States in the idler to take part in the international inquiry into the European topsrnt ions pi cddcni and decided to take immediate advantage of this overture. Til" Conference was of opinion that the Kiiioppun situation could oniy lie lifted on to the plane i f jossihle si-ttlc-ment by co-operation ol the l uited States, and if a scheme i f common inquiry following by common action were to In-oak down, the lesults would he inimical both to peace and the World's econoinie recovery. In such event it '..as fell to lie desirable that the British (biverimienl should consider ve;y i aiel idly the alternative of summoning (he Conference itself, in order to examine the liiumcial and economic problem in its widest aspect. The Conference regard,-d any policy which would result in breaking up any of the Cc-r----mail States u.-> inconsistent with the Ticatv obligations entered into, both bv Germany and the Powers, and as inecmparable with the future discharge by Germany of her necessary obligation-. The strongest representations on this subject were acotrdilngly made to the Allied governments. The Conference noted with satisfaction that: the “Washington agreement, had added immensely to the World's security without disturbing the intimate relation chat so long existed between the Empire and .Japan. The Conference further registered a confident belief that future relation- between the" governments and peoples of the British Empire and Japan will he not less sincere am-.l cordial than when both governments were hound by written conventions. The Conference dealt with tlx question of the twelve mile limit regarding American liquor regulations and while affirming and safeguarding, as a cardinal feature of the British policy, tin* principle of the 3 mile limit, it was yet both desirable and practic-

able to meet the American request for an extension of the right of search. After listening io the exposition the work of the League of Nations, members of the Conference were in fuK accord that unabated support should be given by all British members to tht League as a valuable instrument of international peace,. The Conference examined certain general questions raised by Amerii a concerning territories in South-west A(rica and the Southern Pacific which are administered under C’ mandates. The development of the condominium of the New Hebrides was examined in consultation with Messrs Bruce and Massey. Certain questions relating to the status of the High Commissioners in Bidlain were discussed, particularly Tn regard to precedence and exemption from taxation and customs duties. The British Government undertook to examine the points raised.

Certain questions regarding the law of British nationality, raised by Australia were referred to the Committee. These questions -referred to the naturalisation of persons resident in the mandated territories-. The Committee decided to recommend that the power of granting certificates of Impeiial naturalisation, he extended, in order to cover persons resident in B and C mandated territories and also Til Proteeimates. The committee, also, recommended that the revocation of a naturalisation certificate be enquired into under the Presidency of a high judicial authority, the committee falling in with the Australian suggestion that persons of a lower judicial standing might preside according to local needs a lid circumstances. The Commonwealth also proposed an amendment to the Imperial Nationality (Law as to the nationality of British born women married to aliens as the

Commonwealth Government had found that a wife’s loss of her British nationality gave rise to hardship in cases where the wife was separated from, or (icon deserted by him. The discussion on the question did not disclose any opinion in favour of altering the existing law, but the committee nevertheless recommended, that power should lie taken to readmit women to British nationality in cast's where the married state, though subsisting in law. had practically come to an end. Another matter suggested bv the Commonwealth Government concerned the law relating to the validity of mar. ringes between British subjects and foreigners. The main difficulty appeared to he that such marriages, although valid when contracted in the British law. may nevertheless he invalid in the law of a foreign country and the committee, having examined the action lacing taken by the Foreign Office and Hie Home Office to carry out the M«r----i i;igi' w ith Foreigners Act. of IDO3, could make no recomemndation.

The report concluded with a message to the King in which the delegates express pride: that amid the economic and political convulsions which have shaken the world, the British Empire stands firm; that the widely scattered peeples remain as one in their belief in its ideals and their faith in its destiny; that “the consciousness of the devotion of the peoples of your Empire may encourage and uphold your Majesty m tile task of promoting the unity to which you have devoted your strength and labour." RATIFICATION OU THKATJRS. LONDON. November 11. 'Pile Treaty making resolution, unanimously adopted by tile Imperial Conference. lavs down the undesirability c| individual countries of Hie Linpire in the negotiation of treaties which, considering their possible eficet on other parts of flic Umpire, are likely ill be interested in the treaty, they should he informed before negotiations arc opened in order to enable them l„ express their views on. or to participate in the negotiations. In He (•vent of more than one Umpire Government participating in the negotiations, the fullest exelmge of views between them should he maintained throughout the negotiations nud the count lies ol the Empire not participating in the negotiations should he kepi, fully posted as regards the points wherein they mav ie interested. Treaties not imposing obligations on He whole Umpire should be signed by the governments concerned. while tie text should he so wiirdml as to make the scope clear. The existing practice in connection with signature should continued. Regarding the treaties concluded at the Internal Conference, which was attended by B'ilish Umpire delegation, as regards :atiiicaiion the resolution adheres to the existing prai lice of being defined in an explanatory statement. Tims tlie ratification of treaties imposing obligations on one part ol the Umpire is elleeted at the instance of the Government of that pan. while ratification of the treaties imposing obligations on more than one part is eflected alter consultation between the governments of those pails concerned.