IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1926, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED.. ’ Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, Jan. 11. The “Morning Dost” says it is likely that an Imperial conference will he held in 1926. hut the date depends on the Dominion premiers. Ihe Dominions are not parties to the Locarno Treaty, but it is clear that they are concerned with the obligations incurred under the Treaty, as Britain, in certain contingencies, is liound to intervene with armed force in a European dispute, and any declaration of war would presumably include the Dominions and their ability to contribute assistance to Britain depend on the strength of the Royal Navy, a fact which has been largely disregard«d since the war. Australia and Now Zealand, however, are under no illusions on this point, and as the Dominions, cannot defend themselves the •,resent population problem of Empire settlement is bound up with the The “Morning Post” adds as the Dominion populations grow, so wil their defensive power increase. A comprehensive scheme of Imperial migration has been deplorably delayed. Australia offers the envious world a spectacle of a continent of inestimable natural riches inhabited oulx along the coast line by a population less than that of London. Empno settlement is asociated with the policy ■if Imperial preference, and the res. Its of the arrangements made at the 1923 Conference will appear at ttie forthcoming conference. A problem to 1-c solved is how to give produce from Dominions and colonies an advantage in the British markets w.think imposing a duty •on foodstuffs. Tlse solution would he easier tl tins production in the Dominions were considerably increased.