IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1925, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

STATEMENT BY MR MASSEY. [by TELEGRAPH —rEII PRESS association WELLINGTON, January 19. T ne following statement with regard to the proposed Imperial Conference on the Geneva Protocol was made on behalf of the Prime Minister to a “ New Zealand Times” reporter:— Statements have appeared in the Press to the effect that the New Zealand Government declined to accede to the request of the British Prime Minister to take part in the imperial Conference in London in March next, to consider the question of the ratification of the Protocol prepared by the Assembly of the League of Nations relating to compulsory international arbitration and disarmament. The correct position is that Mr Massey replied immediately that he would communicate by cable with the Prime Ministers of the self-governing Dominions, and that if they found it possible to attend the proposed conlereiice, he would make arrangements for the representation of New Zealand by a member ol the Government. After the receipt, of confidential replies from the Prime Ministers, Mr Massey informed Mr Baldwin that, while it might not he possible •<"' New Zealand to he represented by its Prime .Minister, the Dominion would be represented by a .Minister if Mr Baldwin still considered it possi ile that the proposed conference could take place.