IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18231, 15 November 1924, Page 12

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

"MAY BE EXPECTED SOON »

NEW ZEALAND'S DUTY TO

EMPIRE.

"Imperial preference may bo expected soon, but Now Zealand should bo prepared to do its sharo in return by taking up a more equitablo proportion of tho financial burden of naval defence of tho Empire." In giving expression to this sentiment yesterday, on his return by tho Ulimaroa from a trip to Great Britain and Australia, Mr Bernard Tripp, of South Canterbury, discussed various matters of interest to New Zealand as a member of tho British Empire. "Mr Baldwin, tho new Primo Minister will, in nil probability, go on with Imperial prof orenco," ho said, "and wc know what an advantage it will be to tho Dominions. At tho same time wo have a duty to tho Empire, in the matter of naval dofonco, that I do not think wo aro carrying out as wc should. Great Britain is being taxed to tho extent of 2Gs per head of population for naval defence, while tho proportion of Australia is 8s 6d, and of Now Zealand .4s Cd. Of course, this last amount docs not includo tho £IOO,OOO recently voted for an addi' tional cruiser, which will bring Now Zealand's proportion up to about Gs Cd por head. I think, with Imperial proforenco, wo will be able to contribute more to naval defence.

Economic Committee to be Set Up. It was probablo also, said Mr Tripp, that tho new Prime Minister would tako an oarly opportunity of riving effect to tho decisions of tho Economic Conference. That would bo a very important step in benefiting, tho Dominion*. In that oyont, tho projected Economic Gemmittoo would oo set up, which would comprise representative! of tho self-governing Dominions. The committee would deal with all' mnttorß of trade, outsido those of tariffs, and would provide an excellent opportunity, in tho benefits it accorded, for tho Dominions to absorb a larger sharo of Great Britain's surplus population, The general viewpoint of the Dominions had an appreciable effect on the British elections, which were fought out moro than ever on the basi3 of consideration for the Dominions and their rights as members of the Empire, ~ Mr Tripp added that the Prime Minister of New Zealand was held in -the highest possible esteem in .all parts of Great Britain, whether in the cities or in the rural'centres. He found that the credit of New Zealand stood higher at Home than that of any other Dominion. He paid a high tribute to 'the value of the services of Sir James Allen as High Commissioner, especially during the currency of the British Empire Exhibition.

Empire Exhibittoa. Speaking of tho proposal that tho Exhibition be continued, Mr Tripp said ho thought it waß quite practicable that New Zealand Bhould continue to take part. Especially was this the case, as Australia and Canada had agreed to continue, and New Zealand could not afford, in the present state of competition for tho Home markets, to remain idle while her coin--petitors were utilising this excellent means of advertising their resources, and increasing their share of Britain's trade.