IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1930, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

PERMANENT TRIBUNAL.

NOT LIKELY TO BE ADOPTED

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

LON DON, October 11

Indications are that one of the earliest plenary', decisions of the Imperial Conference will be on the subject of inter-imperial relations, upon which Lord Sankey’s Committee is speeding up its report. The full discussion on the question of the creation of an Empire Tribunal will be adjourned to permit the individual delegations to consider whether it is really necessary. It seems to be fairly certain that the decision will be against a Permanent Tribunal. It is understood that the Australian view is to avoid any excessive rigidity of the machinery to settle the disputes arising between the component parts of the Empire, though Australia recognises that some machinery may be necessary arising from the signature of the Optional Clauses of The Hague Tribunal with the reservations respecting inter-imperial disputes, Opin ions foi'selinchnv the rejection of the idea or anything akin to* a Hague In* ternatiorml Court,

The discussion at present, centres on whether machinery is necessary for special arbitral-proceedings.

Australia favours settlement by discussion and mutual accommodation, with, perhaps, a special tribunal as occasion may arise when a final decision is required. It has been suggested that such arbitral questions should be m the nature of those which, if of foreign origin, come within the scope of the Optional Clause with the addition of those arising from special Empire relationships.

GOVERNORSHIPS. LONDON, October 11

Discussion proceeds at the Imperial Conference, on methods of appointing Governors-General and on the channel Oc communication between His Majesty and the Dominion Governments. Theris, seemingly, an entire recognition of tlie responsibility of the Dominion Governments for advice to the King on matters affecting them, including the appointment of , Governors-General.. The question, of appeals to the Privy Council so far has not been approached.

LONDON ANTICIPATIONS. LONDON, October 13. It is over-early .vet to, assess the City’s reaction after the opening speeches at the Imperial Conference although the , attitude of Rt. Hon. J. H. Thomas, the Secretary of State for the Dominions) is definitely regarded as unsatsß'actory. Despite the Canadian Premier, Mr Bennett’s proposals, the City doubts whether anything is likely to he achieved by a conference in which the individual members’ fiscal attitudes are so divergent. It iV believed that the result would be welcomed in financial and industrial circles as ending the present disastrous uncertainty. BRITISH ATTITUDE. A MODIFICATION.

LONDON, October 11

The British Government has now informed tfie Prime Ministers of the Dornininons that it is willing to consider any proposals, not excluding tariff preferences. Such consideration, it states, must he based on two general conditions. The British Government cannot agree to any proposal involving any increase in the cost of living in Britain, or any proposal suddenly interfering with British existing commercial treaties. Both of these considerations, it states, will have to be borne in mind when the Canadian proposal is discussed in detail, hut it is. not thought that they will present insuperable obstacles.

FRENCH FEARS OF TARIFF

LONDON, October 11

French press comments on the British preference question are copious, and are strongly adverse to the Dominions’ offer ol a ten per cent, tariff preference to Britain. The general tone o'f the French criticism suggests the feeling in France is that the British Empire is enclosed in a ring fence which is a danger to the world.

MR FORBES’ COMMENT,

TO N.Z. CUSTOMER

LONDON, October 10.

Hon Mr G. AY. Forbes, N.Z. Premier, speaking at a luncheon, at the Civil Service Store, complimented the firm on its translating into practical action the principle of Empire preference by pushing the sale of Dominion products. 1 lie firm, be said, was one of New Zealand’s oldest customers, and was now taking- one hundred lambs and two tons of butter weekly. Similar Empire displays, he said throughout the country would be most valuable.