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Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1924, Page 2

Tin: whole outlook with regard to the development of Empire resources and inter-Empire trade has changed vastly for the better with the change o'f Government in Britain. So long as the late Labour Government held office little thought was given to oversea development, and the liade policy pursued was one of drift. The Baldwin Gmernment is ] lodged. not only to give effect to the resolutions of the Imperial Conference; but to safeguard any efficient British industry “’in which unemployment may lie caused by unfair competition of any kind.” Mr Baldwin was particularly explicit on this subject during the recent election campaign. and is free to take measures for the protection of British industry which will in themselves favour and facilitate a policy of < o-nperation in trade and development within the Em-

pire. In these conditions there is a strong incentive to put the Imperial Economic Committee into working operation at the earliest possible moment. Great care must be taken, however, to select representatives who are reaellv qualified to serve on the committee. At the Economic Conference, Sir Philip Lloyd Graeme, who has now resumed the position he then held as President of the Board of Trade, urged that it Was important that there should be both official and unofficial members on the committee. Half the strength of

such a body, be justly observed, would be in its possession of an unofficial clement. representing knowledge and experience of the subjects W'ilh which it would have to"ileal". In view id the development of producers’ marketing organisations, this country may find the problem of unofficial representation on the committee easier of solution than that of finding a really callable official representative. The latter should be a well-trained and competent expert able to look forward to an extended period of service on the committee.

It is mentioned in another column today that Mr T. E. V. Seddon will be a candidate for the Westland seat at the next general election which will be held next year. This announcement is sure to give very general satisfaction. Mr Seddon being a very popular figure throughout the electorate. Mr Seddon will stand us a Liberal which is a very natural decision in view ol bis early political training. The Westland seal is held at present by a Labor representative wlin wrested it from Mr Seddon in a triangular contest at the last general election. It is not known at present how many candidates w ill enter the lists for Westland, but even shnllld it lie a triangular light. Mr Seddon's chances are extremely good. I lie decision on the last occasion lias been regretted in many quaiters, and the lessen taken to heart. In the circumstances Mr Seddon’s candidature promises to be in greater favor here, than over. That Mr Seddon is in earnest about bis political mission, may he gathered fiom the laet that be purpesos touring the southern district after the new year. Westland is one of the most extensive electorates in the Dominion, and it takes quite a

time to cover all tin 1 ground. By making an early beginning the task of covering the electorate very thoroughly will be possible. Mr Seddon will first visit the far sunlit, and will then have several weeks clear to do tile north as thoroughly as eirrunistanees will allow. tic the ordinary course, the general election will be held in a year’s time, but i! is not im] reliable that the date* may lie much earlier than usual. It is ptopiiseil in any case to rail Parliament together much earlier. and that arrangement will in itself conduce to an earlier election. Mr Seddon's many friend;; throughout the electorate' will be pleased to learn ol bis definite* decision in the matter, and will wish bis campaign every success.

Tim question ill tin* representation of tin* ili.stiii l :it tlio Dunedin lcxhiliitinii has 111*1*11 derided. already in ill* l nfliriiiiilivi*. It is well Unit it is so, for tin* display is going to In* quite beyond tin* orilinary. mid so lino that visitor.s from all parts of tin* tvnrlil "ill lII* alti a* toil to it. Tt would In* a serious mistake if tin* district won* omitted from so lino an advertisement. dho suggestion that the four West- Coast county districts with the interior lio••oiiiil's. sin.old iinnhino for a provincial court, is an excellent one. 'I ho Exhinition "ill ho a I a roe one, and districts rathe- than contros shoulil lie represented. There "ill he so mapy visitors from overseas, that it "ill he dosii*ah!o to ini] loss them in a general way as lo the resources of the Dominion, and that can he done host liv the provincial displays. Tt has been suggested that the initiative should come from this end. hecanse here there has heel) a cot lain amount of practical experience in regard to organising displays. But (lie united co-operatimi of all the Coast centres will he required to secure the |jest resuts. The proposal at present is to hold a preliminary nicotine; i.e*e vei v shortly, and draft a scheme :t j llie innsiileration of other centres. Then to hold a representative mootin': in one of the northern towns, consider the scheme, and appoint an executive representative of all parts to carry it out. By this means there should he practical co-ordination, and the host results should lie achieved. In pass!n't, praise should lie given tllc poo] lo for their enterprise m this matter. The undertaking

is being carried out on a scale of greatness which should , ommand success. Tho Otago people also are putting their money into tie venture. The measure of support t) ey aie receiving from overseas seems to justify the "hole project, and "hen outsiders realise the possibilities so readilv, tho people within the Doin.nion have no occasion to neglect the opportunity presented by the personal enterprise of the optimistic Dunedin folk.