IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1924, Page 2

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

[Reuters Telegrams.}

DEBATE IN COMMONS. LONDON, June 18 There were numerous Australian references in the preference debate. ■ Sir I*. Lloyd (Jraeine quoted Mr Brute’s, the Australian Premier’s statement that Empire development was dependent on men, money and markets, hut he said it would he idle to expect Australia to go ahead in Lift developments unless she could see her way to market what she produced. I nless the export trade with her increased the unemployment problem could not be solved.

Sir Simon, in the ehiof speech from the Liberal .st:’.iHl])oint said that there was all the difference in the world between the preference that Britain was being urged to grant to the Dominions and that which they granted to Britain, as the Dominions’ preference was one in an already protected market, while Britain's would mean the abandonment of the principle whereupon her trade has been built up. Sir .1. Simon said that instead of promoting Imperial unity, tariff preference would he likely to create acute discord.

Mr Page Croft said: “Our trade with Australia was stagnating, hut, with preference, it increased from twenty millions a year to thirty-four millions between 190(5 and 11)13. Now British trade comprised li-l per cent of the Australian imports.” Colonel Seely said that though the Liberals had unexpectedly made a definite pronouncement in favour of preference, he asked what possible harm could come through any reduction in the duty on dried fruit's. .Mr Tom Johnson, the Labourite, said that if Britain told Greece that she would exclude all the fruit products grown by her under the sweated conditions of labour, that would be the finest preference Britain could give to A ustralin.

“The Daily Chronicle’s” Parliamentarv correspondent, summing up the debate, says:—“lt is definitely dull, lint the heavy artillery will open tonight. .Mr Lloyd George was not present at the discussion. There is badly needed a lively switching on of new ideas. Perhaps the debate on 'Wednesday will supply that need.” Kl lion J. 11. Thomas said it would be worth considering whether it would not help Imperial unity and encourage confidence to invite not only the Dominion Prime Ministers, but their responsible leaders of the Opposition to the Imperial Conferences. He knew the latter would be roluetniuT'nut opinion he consulted showed the conviction that some such change was absolutely mccessary in order to make the conferences more effective and more real. It would only lead to disaster to continue with the conferences, only to find, when they ended, that nothing whatever had been done. r l his would lead to an agitation against the conferences that would be disastrous to everybody.

Sir .1. Simon, in his speech, stoutly opposed the resolution. Colonel Seely said that speaking as an unrepentant Free Trader, he would beg the House to consider long before rejecting the first four resolutions. It would be the gravest rebuff to the Dominions to reject the proposals solemnly reached at the Imperial Conference, which proposed to do nothing but reduce taxation and cheapen products, just because they wanted to cling to some particular idea. An adverse vote would gravely damage Imperial relations at a moment when gratitude for all they owed the dominions should make them hesitate to do anything to hurt them.

Air Tom Jolipson (Labour) contended that it was the business of a Labour Government to examine the origin ol their imports, with a view to preserving a higher standard of civilisation from lower.

Air llnydon Guest (Secretary of the newly-formed Labour Commonweal! h Group announced his intention of voting lor the liit-T Tour resolutions. He Imped that other Labourites wouiu'Tlo so. ns a demonstration of their desire and intention to make the British Commonwealth of Nations more united, lie believed that the preferences should hi* coupled with some kind of guarantee of the conditions of lile of the working people.

Air Thomas quoted Air W. Af. Hughes 'Australian ex-Premier) as saying that if Britain asked for a high preference. Australia would not give it unless she were satisfied that it would lie a good tiling for Australia, lie said he could quote numerous* speeches of that kind, showing that the Dominions were compelled to do at Britain did. and to view these questions from the standpoint of tlie interests of their own people. Air Thomas deprecated the recent tendency to make the general question of Empire development a party issue. He said that it was a mistake to assume that tlio Dominions’ assist nin e in the war was due to any material considcraiton. I’REFERENCE DEBATE ADJOURNED. (Received this day at $ a.m.) LONDON. June 18. Col. .1. Wedgwood said the Labour Party seriously believed the lipcs win rcon they proposed to proceed were more likely to secure tin* permanent; unity of Umpire than the Conservative policy. On Colonel Wedgwood suggesting that protection in many colonies and foreign | count :ies led to corruption and graft. Air C'lWeii asked the Speaker whether Col. Wedgewood had the right to make this insinuation against Dominion Parliamentarians. The Speaker replied that he had heard untiling personal. Col. Wedgewood said lie certainly made no personal (barges whatever. Till* debate was adjourned.

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