THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20259, 30 July 1937, Page 7

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

CRITICISM IN PARLIAMENT.

MR SAVAGE’S ATTITUDE COMMENDED

PRAISE FOR THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT. (United Press Assn.—Eleo. Tel. Copyright.) (Received July 30, 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, July 29. “Criticism of the Imperial Conference was concerned not so much with its sins of commission as the sins of omission,” said Mr F. W. Pethick-Lawrence in the course of a desultory debate on Dominions affairs in the House of Commons. He complained that no far-reaching contribution had been made to world problems, no settlement of questions between the British race and the larger world interests, no result as regards the relations between the white and coloured races. It was a marking-time conference. He commended the attitude of Mr M. J. Savage in holding that a real increase in world trade was impossible unless the standards of life of every country were raised. In New Zealand Mr Savage and the Government had worked consistently to raise the spending power, and he believed that considerable progress had already been made. Mr G. Mander, dealing with the report of the Imperial Conference, said he traced in it a tendency towards lip service to the League of Nations, but New Zealand’s policy in this matter was refreshing and realistic and he hoped the other Dominions and Britain would follow its example. Personally, he believed that the Government in practice had abandoned the idea of relying on the collective system, but the British Empire’s future depended on an effective League.

Dominions and Defence. Sir E. W. Grigg expressed the opinion that the Imperial. Conference discussions went nearer realities than the report suggested. “ Indeed, if certain statements which leaked out were true, there was a quality about many of the discussions which all would welcome,” he said. The world had taken notice of the fact that the Dominions realised the Importance of the defence of their own spheres. Mr. Hamilton Kerr suggested that in each capital a committee be formed to implement Empire publicity, comprising t lie High Commissioner, the press, the cinema and broadcasting interests. Mr. MacDonald Replies. Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, replying, said that the Government shared fully the desire for a settlement of the points in dispute between Britain and the Irish Free State. He added: “ We are not disposed lo be too rigid In our consideration of these questions. The Government is continuing consultation with the Dominions with a view to helping shipping.” Mr. MacDonald reviewed the position as regards the South African protectorates. lie said the Government abided by its pledges that a transfer would not occur until the wishes of the local populations were carefully considered and until Parliament had had an opportunity of expressing its views. A communication to General •Hertzog was being drafted dealing with

the whole question. Mr. MacDonald finally described 1937 as an historical Imperial year.