IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1923, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAnI.F. ASSOCIATION. I iEFEXCE QCESTIOXS. LONDON. October 21. Air Minister, Hoare this afternoon addressed the Economic Conference, and dwelt on tlie rapid growth of coiinnert'lial aeroplane services. He outlined the first .stages of the Imperial aiisfiip services—lirsl Iv. the production of a suitable airship; secondly, a M-wockly service to India; and thirdly, the commissioning of six air-hips of liv million cubic feet capacity. Various Dominion delegates raised criticisms, upon which it was decided to appoint a committee to discuss tie. whole question of the Burney scheme, with" tlie Air Ministry, while the Dominions representatives will consider technical and other special matters v. it fi tii c air ministry. Mr Amery said he believed the airship had reached a stage when su-ic-s was assuiod. He pointed out the -peed with which airships wc-ie able to he built.

In the opinion of the Dominion representatives to-day's meeting was occupied by one of the most important discussions of any at the coiilerem-e. The conference got down to bedrock in dealing with vital questions. Much ground was cleared, but filial decisions were not reached.

The outstanding feature of the week has been the free interchange of viewcut naval, military and air defence. The discussions hitherto had shown the Dominions have found much room lor improvement a.s regards communication:.. Imi compared with previous conferences. the Dominion delegates are satisfied much valuable work is in course ol completion. There is not a single question on which a general agreement does not exist between the overseas members. THE I’IILFF.RKXCE AGITATION. LONDON. Oct. 19. The Council of the Midland manufacturers have resolved in favour cf mutual imperial preference, oxpiessitig the opinion that it scientific taiill would iiicioa.SC the export trade

Speaking at the Empire Producers' Organisation, luncheon, Sir R. Lloyd Graeme hinted that frank speech was indulged in at the Economic Conference. which determined to work out in a practical manner, .schemes tor most rapidly developing the Empire's resources. The only way to obtain this was by preference. Britain was proud U, follow the lend of the dominions in this connection, and would he in no wise retard carrying out the policy hv adverse criticism.

Mr Bruce argued that there were no palliatives for unemployment in Pertain. The only remedy was to find new markets. He laid down Ihree postulates : Firstly, there must he increased competition in the worlds maiLcts. secondly, there must he increased population, an ever-increasing surplus ol which must be ranged under the Hi - tish Hag; and thirdly there must he improved methods of production npa-.t from increased production necessitating even greater markets, in which connection he. urged the of developing flu. 1 pctenlialitics -w the Lnipire. Mr Massey stror,gl> adwir.Ped the masking of impocu-.l goods to nub'.u, nhel.be they were produced within ni " British Empire of nol. MR. M ASSET ON NEW ZKALWD. LONDON. Od. 2!. At the Imperial Colilerence. duiiua a discussion on Sir 11. Alacaimlei s statement, Mr. Massey mentioned the work being done by New Zealand regarding meat exportations. - He explained the Meat Control Boat'd, whose business it was to look after freights’ reduction. He thought that, on Etcwhole. New Zealand's shipping service was satisfactory, especially as shipping was at present passing through a transition singe. Mr. Massey said that lie would ho glad if they could speed up the transit of mails. He was sceptical of the airships. being doubtful whether they would bo sufficiently and strongly enough constructed to withstand the .storms in different puns of the worldIn regard to the payment of income tax, Air. M asscy said that he stood by the principle that the tax should he paid onthe income where it was earned It would also he a fine thing if double income lax were abolished.