NAVAL ARMAMENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1929, Page 6

NAVAL ARMAMENTS

THE CU.M .MISSION ADJOURNS

(Australian Pi ess Association) (United Service).

(Received this day at 10 a.m.) GENEVA, May 6.

Jn moving tlie adjournment of the Naval Armaments Committee, to enable the Government’s carefully to consider tlie Gibson proposals, Count Sato paid a tribute to Air Gibson, who had contributed considerably to the acceleration of the task. Japan associated herself with Air Gibson’s view. The essential object was not merely limitations hut a reduction of effective armaments.

Lord Cusliendun, supporting the ad-, journnient, said lie had arrived three weeks ago, not feeling very hopeiul, but now the situation was entirely changed. , lb is understood that United States will communicate concrete proposals to the interested powers, who will exchange views on them. Air Gibson’s new scheme of valuing ships may well solve our next difficulties. I hope at tlie next Preparatory Commission that naval powers will .announce an agreement.

Mr Gibson in accepting the adjournment agreed that the best hope of success was for each country coming prepared to speak on the basis of its individual studies. It was abundantly clear that nothing could he more favourable than the present atmosphere. The adjournment was carried.

Lithvinoff used the meeting as a sounding-board lor a vigorous attack on the barrenness of the commission’s achievements. He then made a dignified announcement that the Soviet would participate in the disarmament conference proper, and demanded its immediate convocation.

The Chairman intimated that there' would lie only one more meeting of the Commission before the full Conference.