IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1930, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

LONDON, Oct. 6. Though to-day’s and to-morrow’s proceedings at the Imperial Conference are concerned witli many import-

ant subjects, they are not questions

; arousing much general interest. The ; majority of the iGanferenee delegates regard the discussions as a hiatus, • and as simply postponing the opportunity of getting down to the vital j problems which, the Dominion representatives are hoping, will mean tlio iturning over of a new page in the Empire trade arrangements. There is a general idea that only a ;couple tv? idays will Ibe left for technical and legal subjects principally pwing to the necessity of Dir Ramsay MacDonald attending the Labour Party’s Congress at Llandudno. .. There is a persistent story that some of -the Dominion delegates, anticipating that. Dir J. H. Thomas, th© Dominion Secretary’s statement as to trade proposals at Wednesday’s plenary session will not be a helpful contribution, have again appealed for some gesture towards reciprocity of a (Urect nature.; , j It : -is, suggested * that the Dominion delegates have, determined not. to return home without some ‘basis of closer economic unity, , They have even gone so far as to. discuss some plan, amongst themselves, if Britain remains aloof. , Mr J. H. Scullin, the Australian Prime Minister, declines to discuss the matter till he makes hi/3 speech at the Plenary Session.

, Dir G. W. Forbes, New Zealand Prime Dlinister, has indicated that New Zealand at least wants some of the preferences such as Australia enjoys..

i The gossip in the Canadian circles suggests that Canada contemplates definitely offering a wider measure of preferences to Britain, and dividing the goods into three categories: Firstly, the articles that Canada manufactures, whereon there will be stiff projection ; secondly, the, goods not made in Canada, but wfierein Britain excells.- and whereon there will be. a substantial preference; and thirdly, the smaller British preference pn ar.ticies which are not British specially; in return .for which Canada will expect a ten per cent preference or tax on foreign, wheat.

There is still a strong impression that Britain, on Wednesday, will put I preferences in the background in favour of a scheme for bulk purchase. Mr Scullin is not inclined to credit the report that he is likely in the 'first instance, to table, anything like tire concrete proposals outlined above. He intends to spbak for one hour on AYethresday in unfolding Australia’s viewpoint in every aspect of intertrade preference*, He ex- ■ pectH the other Dominion delegates to do likewise, each devoting the first debate to the presentation of theii own case.

Nobody is expected to deliver any sort of. ul ti niatum

Gj No'Dominion expects, ultimately, to obtain one hundred per cent of her demands, but when all the viewpoints are outlined; it will be for the Committee to seek and obtain therefrom the maximum- agreement, with posj'sihle bargaining in the negotiations with Britain later. . '

: Though the opening of the tariff’s discussion is described as a second reading debate, the Official Spokesman rive-lit out oif his way to-night to insist that there would be nothing in the nature of a ranging ot sides, with one set of Dominions opposed to Britaih or other Dominions; bait simply a frank, friendly exchange of views and requirements. The present expectations are that the opening debate will last a couple of days, in which case MessHs -Scullui; Forbes and the other Prime Ministoss will speak on Wednesday, and 'the other assisting delegates on ; Thursday. , Edinburgh has decided to offer tlv freedom of the city to Messrs Bennett, ScuUin Forbes and Hertz,og. LORD SANKEY’S COMMITTEE. (Received this day at 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 7. , Lord Saukey’s committee has further considered Imperial relations, includ- • ing an Empire tribunal, which is not iyet fully defined. The Dominions expres-sed-general satisfaction at the Foreign .-Office’s system of forwarding information. The only real question at issue is the best methods of providing for speedy -consultation. The discussion was-adjourned.