London, Oct. 3.
More than 2,000 delegates {rom Conservative associations were pres ent when the annual conference of the Conservative Party opened to-day at Brighton, The proceedings on the first day were devoted almost entirely to a debate on a combined resolution moved by Sir Edward Grigg and Mr. Winston Churchill, urging the bull ing up of national defences to the fullest degree, regardless of expense.
After hearing Mr. Churchill and Mr. Neville Chamberlain, Chancellor of ihe Exchequer, the meeting passed the resolution unanimously.
Previous to the debate the gather ing approved, with acclamation, a motion of Brig-General Sir Henry Page Croft, Conservative MP. for Bournemouth, congratulating the Government" on the "progressive triumph" in its general policy of restoring trade and finance, and ur ing a vigorous extension Policy.
Territorial Transfer Opposed Mr. Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister and leader of the _party, will wind up the conference tomorrow, when several other resolttions will be considered, including' tone opposing the transfer' of British territory to a foreign power without the previous consent of the British subjects resident in it, and. another Gemanding special efforts for the revival of distressed areas.
"It is the duty of the Government, declared Mr. Churchill in moving his Gefence resolution, "forthwith to repair the serious deficiencies in the defence forces. particularly to organize industries for speedy conver-[sion for defence purposes and to make a renewed effort to establish equality with the strongest foreign Jair force within striking distance of four shores."
He also urged the Government "to rebuild the British fleet and strengthen the Navy, and thus safeguard our food and livelihood and preserve the coherence of the British Empire."
Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in re~ plying, said that it is unnecessary to remind the Government of ite duty to the nation in the matter of defence." "All things mentioned tu the resolution had already been undertaken by the Government.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.