COMMERCE CONGRESS

Evening Star, Issue 22464, 8 October 1936, Page 2

COMMERCE CONGRESS

THE FINAL SESSION DEBATE 0« LIVE STOCK EMBARGO RECONSIDERATION URGED [Per United Piiess Association."! WELLINGTON, October 7. At tho final session of the conference of the Federated Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire today a resolution was adopted asking for the removal of the embargo on tho importation of live stock. The viewpoint of the Now Zealand farmer was expressed by the Mim'stcr of Agriculture (Mr Lee Martin), who went on to say that if removal could, ho effected witlmnt danger the Government would raise tho existing restrictions.

Sir Albert Atkcy (Nottingham) moved—“ That, in tho interests of progressive trade with New Zealand 1 , Congress is of tho unanimous opinion that the Government of New Zealand he asked to reconsider and, if thought fit, remove the embargo on live stock forthwith.” Sir Albert said he understood that this restriction upon trade between the Mother Country and New Zealand was established in the first instance because of a fear that foot-and-mouth disease might be imported into New Zealand. It never had been, and agricultural authorities in Britain thought it was a “ false alarm.” _ Ho stressed tho quarantine and inspection system at Home, and said that as a matter of fact animals could always come into New Zealand by a detour, as, for instance, by Australia, if the importer was prepared to pay tho extra cost. There was always a way of getting behind an Act of Parliament. They were looking to the Government of Now Zealand to take a very catholic view of the situation which this irritating embargo created. Lord Blcdis : Joe, when he was here, had done his best to persuade tho Government of New Zealand to relax the restriction, and was still advocating it. Sir Albert Atkoy concluded by saying that he could find no strong feeling existent, except one for the raising of the embargo.

The seconder was Mr C. A. L. Treadwell, acting as delegate for Hongkong. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Lee Martin) addressed tho congress on the subject. He said he was a- working farmer, and saw things largely from the point of view of the working farmer. The farmers had felt that many times they had been sacrificed on tho altar of commerce. Rightly or wrongly, that was their point of view’. He proceeded, to put tho economic situation from the New Zealand farmer's point of view in regard to the embargo itself and the resolution before congress.

No .doubt, the Minister said, the Government would take the necessary steps to have an investigation made, and if the situation warranted it he thought he could say definitely on behalf of the Government that the embargo would be removed. They had, however, to be satisfied that in removing it they were doing the right thing. He reminded congress that the present Government had been in office for only a short time, and had been dealing with important legislation, and had not had an opportunity of dealing with this pax'ticular question, which, lie had no doubt from what be had read and the letters ho had received, was in some parts of Britain a burning question. After tracing the political history of the embargo. Mr Lee Martin said that New Zealand was a dairying country, and there was a strong feeling that the embargo should not bo removed-. In view of bis visit to the Old Country,., the Minister of Finance (Mr Nasli) had been supplied with all the information available, and would investigate the whole position while in the 'Homeland. Tho Minister made no secret of tho fact that expert officers of the Department of Agriculture were strongly in favour of tho removal of tho embargo, but’ho warned bis hearers that experts often made mistakes. Tho fullest investigation would be made, and if the removal could bo effected without danger the Government would do what was best in the interests of all concerned. Tho resolution was strongly opposed by M l' Boss (Auckland), who said the farmers of New Zealand, by a large, majority, wore in favour of maintaining the restrictions. The resolution was put to the vote and passed unanimously. OTHER SUBJECTS. Mr Norton Francis (New Zealand) moved:—•“ That Congress notes with regret that the Governments of Australia, South Africa, the Irish Free State, and India have not seen their way to increase the limit weight of parcels from overseas to 221 h, and urges on the Governments concerned the importance of rectifying the position as soon ns possible.”—The resolution was carried. The desirability of uniform aviation insurance, throughout the Empire was expressed in a remit from Sydney, which was carried, A number' of British delegates opposed it, Mr A. Wigglesworth (London) expi'essing the view that it was impracticable at the present time. Dir D. M’Bryde (West Indies) moved: —That congress urges His Majesty's Governments to give further and careful consideration to the recommendations of tho previous congress in 1933—viz., preference to: (a) Petroleum and (or) its derivatives either produced or refined within the British Empire: (b) petroleum and (or) its derivatives both produced and refined within the British Empire, due protection being accorded in its homo markets to British indigenous petroleum refined in the country of origin.—Carried. A resolution was carried urging the constituent members of the federation to take up with their own members the necessity for using only containers or packages which can he relied on to safeguard the contents. On the proposal of the Melbourne Chamber tho desirability of establishing a system for an interchange of high executive officers of various brandies of tho Public Service in the same manner as at present applies in tho case of naval, military, and air forces was suggested to all Empire Governments. UNITED EMPIRE FAMILY. Tho final agenda resolution adopted by the conference was one from Melbourne. the tenor of which was to declare that tho British peoples faced the world as a united family, not with uniformity hut with unity. It expressed the desirability of taking all possible means to maintain the closest liaison he-

tween ilie dominions mid dependencies comprising the Empire for the better development of commerce ami industry and lor the co-ordination of Imperial defence which was essential for the protection of Empire trade and the shipping routes of the Empire. COMPLIMENTARY. On the motion of Lord Elibank, seconded by Sir Thomas Wilford, a resolution of thanks was passed to the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) for inaugurating the conference, and to Lord and Lady Galway for their hospitality to the delegates, and wishing them continued success in their high office. A vote of thanks was also tendered to the Government and the Prime Minister for their interest in the congress and their assistance in enabling the delegates to see something of New Zealand, its people, and its industries. Gratitude was also expressed to the Nevt Zealand Associated Chambers, the president, and officials, for the many months of preparation for the congress, and to the Mayor, Corporation, and people of Wellington and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Finally, a tribute was paid to Lord Elibaiil; for the manner in which he bad fulfilled bis presidential duties.