EMPIRE CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12614, 26 November 1926, Page 7

EMPIRE CONFERENCE

SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS NEW HEBRIDES CONDOMINIUM POLICY APPROVED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 24, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. The official summary of the proceedings at tlio Imperial Conference states ill part:— ‘The importance of the Suez Canal rout© and its bearing on foreign relations were emphasised in the discussion of foreign affairs on October 2oth, when satisfaction was expressed at the improved European relations, to which Britain had lai*gely contributed. It was demonstrated that the Empire is firmly attached to the league as the instrument of peace. “Britain, Australia, and New Zealand agreed to the policy of a condominium in the New Hebrides. “The Governments concerned discussed tlio utilisation of the Antarctic areas discovered by Britain, with a view to the developing of exploration and research. COMMUNICATIONS “The conference adopted the Im-

perial Communications Committee’s resolution, emphasising the need of improving communications, especially between Britain and India and Australia and Britain and New Zealand, but was unable to make a recommendation on a specific proposal for an improved service between Britain and India and Australia, but, believing acceleration was possible, suggested that the Governments concerned should investigate the possibilities. “The conference noted wireless telephony experiments at Rugby. “The report of the committees’ meeting regarding the Press Union’s deputation on facilities for the dissemination of British news will he published later. ADDRESS TO THE KING —Mr Baldwin will submit to his Majesty the conference’s address of devotion to the Throne, pointing out that goodwill and the desire for cooperation in Imperial prosperity marked all the deliberations, of members of the conference, to each of whom the Crown is an abiding symbol and the emblem of unity of the British Commonwealth. “The conference found a plan of referring many questions to committees most successful, and carried a resolution appreciating the work of the members of committees, and mutually recording pleasure in welcoming overseas delegates, and thanking British Cabinet members lor their constant attention. “The conference delegates are convinced that their deliberations were most important in promoting Empirewide unity through co-operative action.” STATE-OWNED SHIPS The conference adopted the Mandates Committee’s report, approving the reply to the League. The conference adopted the Economic sub-committee’s report, approving, subjeot to the settlement of certain points, the policy accepted by the Economio Conference of 1923 and the Brussels and Genoa maritime conferences in 1925 and 1926, regarding the immunity of State-owned vessels, such policy being to allow claims against State-owned vessels to be heard in the law courts, instead of being handled by the Governments as a matter of grace. On the economio side no change was sought in the existing preferences. There, was no idea of altering or add-

ing to them, and no desire for an Imperial zollverein, but there was a recognition that the best hope for mutually expanding trade lay in cooperation on the lines adopted by America during President Roosevelt’s regime. The Australian Press Association, learns that though the Communications Committee was unable to malts recommendations on Sir James Connolly’s fast ship scheme, this does not mean the end of the proposal. Sir James is still negotiating with Mr Bruce.