IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1930, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] LONDON, September 29. Another questioner asked had not Mr Graham’s adhesion to the Tariff Truce at Geneva rather committed Britain to duties rather prejudicing the Co nfe re nee discuss i o ns.

M.r Thomas said that he had . not heard so, though he had long chats with most of the Prime Ministers.

An American sought eiiliglitment on a possible Irish Free State attempt to establish Privy. Council appeals. Mr Thomas“ The question is one affecting.the Appeal Court within the Empire. It is true there will be discussed the creation of an Empire Appeal Court which will deal with internal Empire domestic differences rather than by a tribunal created by an outside body bothering with the Empire’s domestic affairs. I have strongest grounds for the belief that some such tribunal will emerge from the Conference supplementing the existing machinery.”

Mr Thomas told a Dutch questioner that the whole problem of disarmament and the London Naval Treaty would be discussed.

Air Thomas; admitted that the .question of. a conference being hold entirely in camera, had not been settled. It tyould be discussed with', tho w Prime .Ministers to-morrow, The talk- finally-turned on economies on which he was. asked had Britain definite proposals to Bubmit* ’ , ,

g ME Thomas-said there> would be a full,, frank, free discussion of the position in which'all.would find themselves.

-.A questioner.—Has Britain nothing but a pool ?

Mr Thomas—-“ You have known me overlong to expect otherwise. Unless everyone is going to make some contribution thereto, we will all drown in the pool. Question of bulk purchases and import boards are already on the agenda. I have not heard of any dominion requesting new preferences, requesting new preferences.” ./ ecu i— t ■■■■■'■• ‘BRITAIN’S 'ATTITUDE TOWARDS ... ... ■;* - EUROPE: *' ; 11 11 (Receivedi tHis - dnv 'at 1(1.30 a.m.V , a., • •> n -y PARlS,*September 20. ” Expressing ( anxiety regarding' Bi'i.tain’s- attitude towards Europe as’ a ;resultf of :the (Imperial i' ’Conference' '‘tie

Temps.’ 1 isari's^-Efforts-to-secure closer Imperial,.economic collahoratiriii suggest an increasing; deflection' of Britain froin the European role- -but admits that Imperial collaboration is of capital importance for moral’ greatness and material prosperity of tile Empire.

' GOVENRGR-GENERAL QUESTION

(Received 10.55 a.m.) - LONDON, Sept. 30. . There is already, u .newspaper, .kite fiying .vOiv.ifhe .sabjedt “of .iliaymg ah , Australian.. ns. 4he- next; Governor-Geji-eral ■; Rj Theji-uSHupiiption ais that, t Mr •.•Se.uJU'U.- .will raiseu the iquetstjon of the Dqininian’si rightr/tO'.;tender ’advice to -.His Majesty,;.on;-;thiS( and.,other mat-' •.ters. 0..? v ..ußffi-/. ; 'l'.’',',. .

j..,,,Speculators .overlook. ..the if act that discussion <n\ the., Governorship was jheld .in abeyance, till, Mr .scullin came to London, and saw, the. King, which , ( js { unlikely tp be,, .long delayed, i His Majesty, though. l)e only arrived frogt .Scotland' in, the ; morning gave ail. audience to Messrs Forbes, Hertzog and Squires to-day. The Australian Press understands that Mr Scullin is likely to .be given art audience 'before Friday, when Their Majesties will give a dinner to the Prime Ministers at the Palace.

!; 'THE OPENING PROCEDURE.

LONDON, Sept. 30

Mr MacDonald will welcome the Premiers and then fifteen minute speeches will ibe the programme for the cip6ning session oft tile Imperial Conference in a room at the,, Foreign Office at 'ten to-morrow turning

! ' It is understood' that • Mr. Scullin -will speak on general lines, dealing particularly with constitutional questions and inter-imperial trade. He will not approach details of economic tissues, till: -the .Conference takes up on Thursday, that, item, which is then on ..the agenda, and he hopes to give a reasoned statement of Australia’s position with suggestions for increasing the volume of business. He is still devoting most of his time to interviewing privately those who are able to give first hand opinions on Australian finances from their own London experiences.