IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1923, Page 1

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

THE FINISH. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, Nov. 9. The Imperial Conference met this afternoon to wind up the business. The proceedings were marked by great cordiality. All the Premiers expressed tiie unanimous opinion that tiie Conference had been most successful. Mr Baldwin said the British Government were grateful to the Dominion Premiers whose long journeys had been quite justified by the results achieved.

Tiie Dominion Premiers expressed gratitude to Mr Baldwin and other British Ministers and to the secretariat. Mr Baldwin, on behalf of the Government, expressed the opinion that tho unseen work of the Conference had been most extraordinarily useful and helpful, also tiie work of the Dominion secretariat and Economic Conference.

It was decided that tho Imperial Economic Committee should he composed of lour representatives from Britain and two each from the Dominions, India and the Crown colonies.

It is learned that tiie dominions will be given a preference of sixpence per gallon on grape juice. Tho conference adopted a resolution framed by tiie Committee on intor-Tm-perial exchanges, which expresses the opinion (1) that the difficulties regarding inlor-hnporinl exchange will disappear when the currencies of Britain and the Dominions affected are again convertible into gold ; (2) it is neither necessary nor desirable to adopt complicated plans for a, new credit instrument like Empire currency bills, which involve difficult, disputable, constitutional and financial questions; (3) where the difficulties have arisen tho position could bo ameliorated, if the note issuing authorities accumulated sterling assets ami undertook to exchange their local currency for sterling, and vice versa, which measure might further ho assisicil by the creation of central hanks for mutual co-operation as recommended by the Genoa Conferences resolutions. Finally, the Committee says tiie bank charges for buying and selling sterling in some cases appear unduly high, and should he capable of a reduction.

The Conference unanimously adopted the resolution relating to the application ot Hie Workmen’s Compensation Act throughout the Dominions. A resolution recommending tho establishment ol an Economic Committee, which would he of an advisory character. It stipulates that no question having any reference to another part of the Empire may he referred to tiie Committee without the consent, of Hie part concerned.