ALLIED CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1924, Page 2

ALLIED CONFERENCE.

(Reuters Telegrams.J

CANADA AND CONFERENCE

THE CORRESPONDENCE

LONDON, July 19.

Correspondence between the Canadian and British. Governments in reference to representation at Inter-Al-lied Conference has been tabled in the Canadian House of Commons. To the British Government Premier MaeKenzie King sent a telegram to the effect that, if the protocol were to he signed on behalf of Canada, it would he necessary for Canada to have a representative holding poseis. Mr MacDonald, in reply, suggested that the arrangements likely best to meet the situation seemed to be (1> For the British representatives to keep in continuous consultation with the representatives appointed by the Dominions and the Indian Government's during the eourso of the Conlorcnco; (2) For the Dominion Governments to be kept fully informed by

telegraph. Mr MacDonald said that he had assured the High Commissioners and the Secretary of State for India that whatever was agreed upon, in view of the exceptional circumstances was not to be icgarded or quoted as a precedent and a statement to that effect would ho made by him to the Conference. Mr MaeKenzie King replied : '‘From the statements in your telegram of July 11, it would seem that the preliminary conference was not, as we had been led to believe so much for the purpose of arranging for the representation of the Dominions and India of what, in advance of consultation with their representatives, had been decided with respect to representation. This is precisely the procedure adopted with respect to the representation at the Lausanne Conference, to which exception had been taken, and concerning which we have been told that we should have spoken more plainly at the time, and which, for many reasons, we had hoped would not have been repeated. AYe regret we are unable to agree to this manner of proceeding, or to depart from the position we have consistently maintained, of having Canada’s right to representation at the Inter-Allied Conference, determined in accordance with the precedent established'at Versailles and Washington, and confirmed by the 1923 Conference resolution, which our Government formally approved.” Further messages, however, show an agreement to adopt the panel system. COLONIAL SECRET AH Y’S STATEMENT.

LONDON, July 19.

Mr ,T. 11. Thomas (Colonial Secretary) speaking at Derby, referred to a misunderstanding having been made Hoarding the Dominion’s representation at the Allied Conference. He was glad the difficulties had been smoothed out-. Canada and other dominions had not only accepted the situation, hut had made a real contribution towards a solution <;f the representation problem. The Government was determined to tackle the whole question of t!u* representation of the Dominions at stieii conferences. He hoped, during the autumn, to confer with the Dominion delegates in London in order to find a permanent plan which would avoid misunderstandings, and would ensure a guarantee of the Dominions’ full status, prestige and light to participate in all matters affecting their interests as well as Britain’s.

The delegates to the Allied Conference are visiting the Empire Exhibition to-dav. and the chief delegates will spend the week-end with Air Ramsay MacDonald at Chequers Court.

DEFAULT SANCTIONS SETTLED London, July 20.

A plenary meeting of the London Conference is expected on Tuesday. Meanwhile Mr MacDonald and other leading delegates will discuss matters at Vo 10 Downing Street. The Ruhr evacuation question led to a sharp' controversy between General De-sticker (France) and General Godley, who urged a simple reversion to the pre-Ruhr conditions, under the Rhineland Convention. The. military experts have not yet reached an agreement.

Apparently the machinery in the event of a German default is acceptable to the French Government, mid to the big international financiers.

Air Ab'c-Donald is convinced Germany lias no intention of defaulting so the question is hypothetical and one of little practical importance. Therefore, Air MacDonald considers lie can safely make concessions to Fin nee on the sanctions. BERLIN". July 21. Germany is impressed by the speed mid energy of the London Conference. Vews of the acceptance of the sanctions clause has fallen like a bomb, and has aroused violent fulniination in the national press.