AN IMPERIAL CALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 October 1939, Page 7

AN IMPERIAL CALL

MINISTER TO BE SENT TO LONDON

CO-ORDINATION OF WAR POLICY.

BRIEF CONFERENCE PROPOSED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day.

The intention of the New Zealand Government to send a Minister to London for a conference of Ministerial representatives of the British Commonwealth in connection with the co-ordination of war activities was announced .in the House of Representatives late last night by the ActingPrime Minister, Mr Fraser, lie said the conference, which would of necessity be brief, would enable the mind of the British and other Empire Governments to be made plain.

“In order to supplement the existing arrangements for collaboration between the Governments of the British Commonwealth,” said Mr Fraser, “his Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom recently inquired whether the other Governments concerned would be ready to arrange to send a Cabinet Minister to London to confer with the Ministers there and with each other, the object in view being to coordinate to the best advantage the contributions which each of us can make to our common task. This suggestion has been i generally welcomed, and the Governments of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Union of South Africa are each arranging to send a Cabinet Minister to London to confer with British Ministers and with each other as soon as practicable. “His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom feel confident that they will benefit greatly from the fuller knowledge which they will thus gain of the problems and plans of the Dominion Governments, and they believe that Dominion Governments will also be helped by the first hand impressions which a Ministerial representative will form and by the full report which he will bring back with him. The New Zealand Government shares these views and they have accordingly decided to send a Minister to London for this purpose, as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.” Mr Wilkinson (Independent, Egmont): “Have you decided which Minister will go?” Mr Fraser: “No.” Mr Polson (Opposition, Stratford): “I hope you will go yourself.” Mr Fraser: “I don’t know about that.” DATE NOT FIXED ANNOUNCED IN LONDON. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, October 4. The Dominions’ Secretary, Mr Anthony. Eden in the House of Commons stated that Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa are each sending a Cabinet Ministei- to London as soon as possible to confer with the British Government. He added that the Dominfbn ministers will confer with the object of co-ordinating to the best advantage the contributions each will make to the common task. The conference would not be lengthy, as the Ministers must return at the earliest moment. The date of the first meeting has not been fixed. CANADIAN DELEGATE (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.)OTTAWA, October 4. The Prime Minister announced that the Resources Minister, Mr T. A. Crerar, will represent Canada in London at the Empire- conference. EMPIRE AT WAR MR EDEN TO BROADCAST. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 3. The Dominions Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, will take part in a radio chronicle showing how the Empire came into war, which is to be broadcast on Friday to Britain, the Empire, and the United States. The programme will tell a thrilling historic story of the entry into the war of the British Commonwealth of Nations within a few days of Britain’s acceptance of the Nazi challenge. After this “Empire tour.” Mr Eden will speak for the Government and people of Britain in sending greetings to the partners who so swiftly joined them in the crusade for freedom against tyranny, oppression and the rule of force.