EMPIRE COUNCIL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 November 1943, Page 3

EMPIRE COUNCIL

VIEWS OF LONDON “TIMES.” (By Telegraph—JPress Association —Copyright) LONDON, November 3. “The Times,” in a leader, expresses disapointment at Lord Cranborne’s announcement that the meeting of the Empire Prime Ministers which it was hoped would assemble before FieldMarshal Smuts leaves London, cannot be held. “Mr Fraser is unhappily disabled by sickness, and Mr Curtin is prevented by press of business from leaving Australia,” it says. “It isimuch to be desired that an early opportunity will nevertheless occur for the postponed meeting, which the Prime Minister has been -trying for two years to bring about.” Commenting on the debate in the House of Lords, “The Times” stated: “It is common ground that the British Commonwealth has immediate need to review its resources for the discharge of the extensive international commitments which have been contracted in its name. The age is past in which British sea-power, single-handed could bear the main burden of securing the peace of the world. The same task today has to be assumed by a wider partnership. In that partnership the Commonwealth must be equipped to speak with a single voice.” ’