EMPIRE UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 22461, 5 October 1936, Page 9

EMPIRE UNITY

VALUE OF IMPERIAL PREFERENCE MR NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN'S VIEWS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 2. The necessity of Imperial preference for the maintenance of the Empire was emphasised by Mr Neville Chamberlain, who deputised for Mr Baldwin at the Conservative Conference. “It has been suggested that wo should, as early as possible, free ourselves from the Ottawa agreements in order to treat foreigners more generously than our own dominions. I believe we would see the end of the Empire if that view was adopted. Wo are accustomed to hear of the dangers of Fascism and Communism and speak of three great countries —namely, the United States, France, and Britain—as the remaining strongholds of democracy. Are not Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa also democracies? Haye not they room for a vast increase in population as soon as economic Conditions justify it? Who can say how far they will have advanced in half a century in numbers, resources, and power? The United Kingdom has no customer to compare with the dominions and cannot expect them to abstain from developing their own industries.”