COUNCIL OF NATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1921, Page 5

COUNCIL OF NATIONS.

ARMAMENT CONFERENCE. OPENS NEXT WEEK. AMERICA’S PROGRAMME, By Talegriph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 3, 9.50 p.m. New York, Nov. 2. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent learns on good authority that the armament conference will open at 10.30 o’clock on the mornning of November 12. After Mr. C. E. Hughes (Secretary of State) has called the conference to order President Harding will deliver an address of welcome, outlining the aims and purposes of the American Government, and this will be the first official intimation to any of the delegates concerning the United States’ programme.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH CABINET’S VIEW. DISCUSSION PERMITTED. Received Nov. 3, 10 p.m. London, Nov. 2. Mr. Chamberlain, replying to Mr. Clynes in the House of Commons, said that since Tuesday, when he had expressed the opinion that Parliamentary discussion on the Washington Conference prior to its opening was not desirable, said he had consulted Mr. Lloyd George and Lord Curzon on the subject, and the Government, feeling that all quarters of the House were unanimous in desiring the conference to succeed, had now decided to allow the debate, trusting to members’ discretion not to prejudice its prospects of success.

Lord Winterton asked: "Will members be permitted to raise questions of the Anglo-Japanese alliance and the position of China?” Mr. Chamberlain: "I would deprecate that as contrary to the public interest. I presume the debate will be on the conference’s real object, viz., the reduction of armaments.’’—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WORLD AGREEMENT URGED. Received Nov. 3, 9.50 p.m. New York, Nov. 2. At the American Legion convention two resolutions were carried urging a world agreement among the nations on the armament question and recommending the promotion of chemical industries within the United States as a preparedness step. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. BALFOUR’S HOPES. Received Nov. 3, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 2. Mr. A. J. Balfour, prior to embarkation for America, said: “I am going to Washington with earnest and confident hopes. I intend, health permitting, to stay for the whole conference.”