NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1930, Page 5

NAVAL CONFERENCE

STRATEGIC UNITY ASPECT. (United Press Association.—ByElectrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 24. T)ie Daily Telegraph's naval correspondent says: The emphasis laid by Dominion spokesmen on the political and strategic unity of the Empire was .. a most arresting feature of the conference n leeches. Mr Ramsay .MacDonald admitted, or at least implied, that the preliminary survey was confined to the British Isles, and took no cognisance of Dominion requirements. It cannot be over-emphasised that at present the conference is at the Washington terms. The British Navy embraces the entire, naval force of the Empire. Thus, when !Mr MacDonald say that Britain is satisfied with 50 cruisers, .’he is really hypothecating the future strength of the whole Empire. It is no secret that Australia, Ne\y, Zealand, Canada, a'nd South Africa envisage their, own naval'-de-velopment plans, which,, however, will be equally subject to restriction in the event of an agreement.

The correspondent adds that he finds there is a feeling almost of apprehension in Dominion circles, lest the individuality of (the Empire’s forces should be.overlooked. He incidentally notes that they have a broader grasp of Imperial requiremeats, than is revealed among the majority of: the Home politicians. ;’ af GUILHALL SOIREE. -V,> ■,! - -.a lavish~turn-out. . ; LONDON, Jan, 23. Tile 1 -Naval Conference delegates were entertained at a banquet to- , - night at the,iGuildhall. The scenes on the occasion were worthy of the traditions of the City of London as the host of world statesmen. All the guests wore plain evening dress, except the berobed Lord Mayor and the .. Sheriffs, who received the Confer•i enee delegates in the Guildhall Library. The , arrival of each principal guest was signalised by a fanfare of trumpet? . ... .Mr Ramsay MacDonald was the recipient of a particularly warm Wellcome-, .all of the guests rising to ap-

platid,', but. acmeist: surprising- ovation ' \fras given to M. Briand (French Fort . eigni Minister) eclipsing that accorded --..a1l the, othprs. Hon. T. M: Wilford represented New ZealandThe, scene in -the banquet, hall was a .brilliant one. It was a matter of comments among -the delegates that no, city in the world could stage a pageant comparable with that of the Guildhall that night. .«• 1 -V, , aiEETING OF THE HEADS. . LONDON, Jan. 23. • After ,a meeting of the Heads of ’{the>Delegations in the Cabinet room, , / the following official communique was issued in connection with disarma- „ nient ',, <d" “The ;Prime Minister asked the j:r,-Heads to J consult with him with a .p'y{ view- to the collection, selection, and. arrangement of the questions to be brought before the conference. These numerous preparations must necessarily be lengthy, requiring a number of ' i meetings.” ■ ,

FRENCH PREMIER. ■ TRIBUTE TO BRITAIN. ' - 17 ,:/ , LONDON, Jan.i 23. '•At. the Guildhall banquet, responding’to toast of T ‘The Naval- Conference,” M* Tardieu (Premier of France) said that the presence of the Dominions emphasised the unity of the British Empire and civilisation. The City of London received the great naval powers in the knowledge that when as between -the different countries, Britain could claim the leading post—the most inspiring indeed ever added: “We shall know how to conquer difficulties. We ask you to trust us, sent as we are by nations whose records do credit to the history of the world .We are resolved to achieve a task worthy of their fame.” •