ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1923, Page 2

ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

IMPORTAN I DECISIONS. I CHTKALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, Not. 3. The Econmic Coiilereoce will ilcvole future sittings to the consideration ol reports troiu expert committees, numbering nearly twenty, upon a nia.iorit.v wnicli Australia and New Zealand mi-e fully represented. To-day the Conference received reports relating first to the immunity of state enterprises tioin taxation; secondly, the reciprocal ciuorceinent ol judgments ol amt ration awards within me Empire: thirdly. hills -U lading: fourthly. patents. J lie Conference ratified the Committee's proposal subjecting stale trading eulci prises, including shipping, unetlier British or foreign, to llie same taxation anti other obligations as private enterprises. This resolution, witnont pre.iudic-.- to tin- lights of the Slate ami Provincial Go\'ei-iimeuis. also is not retrospective Ik* to re ttm end o, l!)2l. _ W illi referenee. to hills ol lading, 1 j 1" Conference recommended the Empire adoption, in common, of the exporters’ invoice now used in Australasia. 1’ recommended the Board ol trade to draw up a system ol statistics, setting out liie development of inter-imperial trade and recommended bills <>i lading in accordance with tho Imperial Miip.pmg Committees' report of ji)2l. fho Coiifereiico recommended the adoption of proposals ot the IIIJJ. Conference, regarding reciprocity in judgments, subject to tin- approval ol States and Brovim-es.

With reference to reciprocal registration of patients throughout the Empire, the (Jon lore nee recommended the adoption by colonies and protectorates, but was nimble to make a recommendation so far as the self-governing dominions were concerned. A committee of the Economic Conference is enquiring into the Spaldinger Treatment. Low, a doctor from New Zealand who lias investigated the treatment will be the first witness examined. ASSISTANCE SCHEME ADOPTED. LONDON, Nov. 2. The Economic Conference devoted a large proportion ol to-day s sitting to the consideration of the report of the committee on "co-operation in financial assistance in Imperial development.’’

The Conference unanimously adopted the following resolution : "The suggestion which the Imperial Government makes is that, in order to facilitate the anticipation of work which, otherwise would not be undertaken for some years, they should give a contribution towards the interest charge.' on the loans raised for capital expenditure of this kind by public undertakings, namely, communications, power, lighting. water, drainage, and irrigation. These undertakings might be either under public or private control. or management. The assistance would he given in respect of any expenditure on orders that are placed in Britain, and it would lie applicable only to .schemes approved by t he 1 )> minion or the Central Government concerned, and certified to by it to ho in anticipation ol norma, expenditure. Payment would be made by the Dominion, or Central Government, which would be responsible for payment to the ultimate recipient. It is suggested that the maximum grant should be three-fourths of the interest charges for five years, and that, in order to qualify for an Imperial contribution. the schemes must bo accepted by the Imperial Government within the next three years. The Imperial Government’s annrovn! would be given after consultation with the Treasury. Board of Trade, Colonial, or India Office. It i' to be understood that priority would lie given to schemes involving the earliest placing ol orders in Britain lor material. | AIR AfASSET'S ENDORSEMENT. LONDON. Nov. 2. The Economic Conference to-day came to a unanimous decision to accept the proposal that if the British Government advances money to Dominion Governments, local bodies, or even private firms engaged in development works overseas, ihe material to be used shall he purchased in Britain. D the British Parliament ratifies the proposal the scheme will be procis-ded with. Britain would be advancing three-fourths of the purchase money of such material free of interest for five years. Air Alassey states the proposal is; of importance* to the Dominions engaged in development work, and lie expects New Zealand will take full advantage of its adoption.