MR SCULLIN

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1930, Page 5

MR SCULLIN

INTERVIEWED IN LONDON

L United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copy right,, j

(Received 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, September 25

In his first contact with journalists at a packed gathering at Savoy Hotel including Americans and continental newspaper men Mr Scullin appeared to make an excellent impression. He was cautious but frank on outstanding features. He was emphatic in his declaration concerning the principal of

secession, There was a fusillade of questions bearing on economic issues, inter-Im-perial trade and Australia’s standard of living, all seeking to- obtain, amplification of. the Prime Minister’s carefully prepared and written statement. In some cases Mr Scullin parried questions as trenching on the Conference policy, but to others he gave precise impromptu declarations sufficiently definite to appease questioners. .Curiously the best sign that good relations had been established was the early lapsing into a. friendly and more intimate discussion of his birthplace and tastes in art, literature and travel. The first searching question was the elaboration of a reference to the urgent need of economic co-operation. Mr Soultin said that,methods would bo discussed at.tlie.lmperial Conference. He could not enter into details, because, it would mean interpreting the Trades Union Congress and Federation of British Industries memorandum to Mr MacDonald. An English journalist asked how in the face of the reduced imports of balancing the Budget could Britain expect the expansion of exports to Australia. Mr Scullin—“We are not yet in the Imperial Conference at which I have quite a. number of things to submit. I believe we can build up Australian industries and still leave field for a variety of British manufacturers especially goods now supplied by foreigners.” To the quention that: Won’t trade treaties, with Italy, Germany and France entrench thereon? Mr Scullin said: “We have not entered those treaties, We are most keen to strengthen the reciprocity of trade with Britain.” Replying to an American, Mr Scullin explained that the ; migration activity. depended on the solution of their own unemployment problem. There were roughly 180,COO unemployed in Australia.; . , The journalist, whose main theme was the chance. of developing British, exports, made a partially heard reference to Australia' trying to- live on her own resources aloof from the rest of the world and teaching the city of London a lesson, at which Mr Scullin broke into a broad smile. “1 prefer not to answer hypothetical questions like, Asked with what spirit the people of Australia faced their difficulties, Mr Scullin said: “If I interpret them aright, they regard their difficulties, as temporary.” “What about the standard of living?” asked someone. Mr Scullin—“All hope- to balance the Budget and meet- .obligations without . reduction of basic wage on which standard of living is mainly based.” A; questioner—“lf that, is- impossible will you shrink from facing wages reduction,” Mr Scullin—“lt is not for me to say we are hopeful of doing it some other wav.

South Africa had raised the matter of secession. Was Australia declaring her right to secede? Mr Scullin—“My answer is no. "We do- not regard it as being challenged. We are not desirous of exercising it. We believe the right exists. Equality of status means that, but we want to keep the Empire connection. The questioner—“ The matter .will crop up an attempt to lay down a right definitely.” Mr Scullin—“l will deal with it as it arrives.!;’ . Replying to the question regarding. West Australia’s secession, Mr Scullin said that it was not more likely to secede than Australia, was to secede from the Commonwealth of Nations. In a tvped statement issued to journalists this afternoon, Mr Scullin repeatedly, stressed the. family character of . the British Commonwealth of Nations, Australia’s desire to continue therein and the necessity for constantly conferring. The statement deals lengthily with the repudiation question and adds; “We are n solvent nation. T sineerl.v hope no more will be heard of the suggestion of repudiation.” The statement significantly dealt with at the recent T.U.C. Federation of British Industries joint memorandum to Mr MacDonald and says—“lnsistence of all these bodies upon the urgent need for economic co-operation in British Empire will be strongly supported by Australian opinion. I hope, however, the policies which we are able to approve to the Conference will go far beyond the creation of economic consultative machinery and will lead to direct stimulation of the' development of our joint resources of trade. It should surely be possible for the Conference to devise methods to increase the prosperity of the British people as a whole.”