The Guardian And Evening Star, .with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1930,

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, .with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1930,

The Imperial Conference appears to ob reauuing K deadlock on aspects' affecting inter-imperial trading under preference conditions. The opening so far as the views of the British ‘Joveinment were concerned was not nelpful. Mr Thomas wan the spokesman and his remarks proved on the .vhole to be disappointing, Occupying the position of Secretary of State it might ’be expected he would le able to give a lead to the Conference, but rather did lie put the brake on. His address for the most part, was an analysis of the trade relations existing between the various members of the Empire,, pointing out the immense importance of Britain to the Dominions, and the value of her services to them. The figures quoted says an exchange, were instructive enough, but, as with most statistics, their real significance depends upons their application, and Mr Thomas refrained from drawing any inferences from the facts beyond a few vague generalities. But there is some consolation to be found in the stress laid by Mr Thomas on the comir on interests in which all parts of the Empire share, and in his assurance that Britain recognises 'the “dependence and inter-dependence” that bind the Domjinions and the Motherland together. At Home it seems to have been generally anticipated that Mr Thomas would give the Dominions a chance of stating their ease from their own point of view before showing Britain’s hand i and the Dominion delegates have promptly and couragieously arisen to the occasion. One important decision has already been reached in regard to Empire Free Trade, which Mr Bennett, speaking for Canada described as “undesirable and imipo.'Vublewhile the -South African Minister of. Finance dismissed Tord Beaverlbrook’s panacea with tlie- pithy and contemptuous comment that his country “could not afford and would not subscribe to such a policy.” Canada, however is not content with negative criticism, and Mr Bennett lias suggested an all-round 10 per cent “mutual preference” between members of the Empire. This is, nf course, quite inconsistent with Britain's “free imports” tradition* and though it does not deserve the -“Daily (Herald’s” condemnation as “demonstrably and patently useless,” it is certainly inadequate for the purpose, Air Forbes, however, went further than Air Bennett in pleading for “tariff protection against the dumping of surplus products,” and he ad-i vocated vigorously a generonf? development of the system of Imperial preference already established. But both

Mr Forbes and Mr Scull in. made it clear that neither New Zealand nor Australia can afford to deprive their producers of the fiscal protection that they now enjoy. Much of this may be distasteful to Britain, but the .Dominions have now made some attempt at staling their case, and, as Mr Forbes puts it, “the next ‘move rests with tlie British Government.” The next move however, is slow in shaping itself. There has Ibeen again the suggestion of bulk buying of Dominion products, but no details are given. Both Mr MacDonald and Mr Wnowden do not favour protection methods for trading purposes, and their voice and inclination cany far in Cabinet counsels. There has been the suggestion of despair on the part of the New Zealand delegation as to a favourable outcome which is to 'be regretted at this stage, for surely all avenues for action can hardly be explored. Any adjustment is not going' to ibe muv: With the "Government practically unfavourable to the general principle of preference to Dominion goods the situation is not hopeful, but the pressure of political parties outside the Conference might yet 'prove the turning Jjoint, Ala matters stand, Mr Scullin ip the most hopeful of all 'the delegates, and perhaps he is fortified by some inside information noit vouchsafed to the other delegates.