ANOTHER WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1933, Page 5

ANOTHER WAR

; ITS PROBABILITIES IF LEAGUE of nations fails. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) TORONTO, September lb Discussion on probabilities of another great w-r took place a: the British iOummonwca'lbh Relations Confereiice to-day, the general topic being' tavha.t 'would happen t 0 the British Commonwealth in the event of a breakdown or failure of the League of Nations, and the present international cooperative system maintaining peace. Some numbers doubted whether the Commonwealth could continue to exist

Others were concerned if it could exist by making itself strong .and defending its resources. One of the mos. pessimistic speakers . at- hte meeting, held in camera, contended that- the world 'was showing a tendency to divide up its naval spheres. Australia .and New Zealand were clearly outside the British n-vaf sphere, and in the event of war could not receive adequate protection, unless the European conditions were so peaceful that the entire navy could be released for service in the Pacific, but this possibility wag unlikely, as Japan, for instance, would have better sense than to 'launch a conflict in the Pacific, unless there was enough trouble in Europe to keep a good part of the British navy busy there, A. Canadian delegate asserted it was clearly in the interests of the Empire to make a success of the League, and the o-operafive method of settling international disputes. Another Canadian asserted that 'Canada secured more benefit from the navy than -many other nations, and should p a y a special premium for its support.

EMPIRE’S INTEGRAL LIABILITY. IN THE EVENT OF HOSTILITIES. TORONTO, September 14. Can 'the King be at ‘war and at peace at the same time? This was one of the questions aired by the British Commonwealth Relations Conference. Some delegates took the view thajt the . completely-self-govevning nations of the Empire had really resolved themselves into six separate independent kingdoms, with a common sovereign, and that the King’s acts as King of Canada need have no re!a tionship to his acts as King of the United Kingdom, or as King of Australia.

Another group contended that there was ground for holding that no part of the Empire could enter into war without such action being recommended to the King by the Ministers of all the different Governments.

This latter view, if .adopted, would make unneessary the consideration of the possibility of one part of the Empire remaining neutral while another was at war.

There was general agreement by the delegates that consultation and cooperation were desirable tin the Empire’s internal relations. It was stressed that consultation should he directed to the preservation of to a greater extent than to talk of war! The conference referred the matter to a committee of lawyers for a report. ’