HON. G. FORBES

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1930, Page 5

HON. G. FORBES

FAILURE OF CONFERENCE.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyri gh t.)

(Received this day at 10-30 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 27.

Air Follies interviewed by the “Daily Telegraph’’ at Oxford, said the Imperial Conference was drifting and he feared it was doomed to be njbortive. The whole question was wrapped up in food taxes. Mr Snowden says 1 distinctly there will he no food taxes, and you cannot get beyond that. Instead the Government is suggesting theoretical problems. We are practical people in the Dominoins. We know things which will work, but look upon theoretical tilings with suspicion. We cannot force the British 'Government to change its views and can only put forward outside. My belief is that the flint thin" Britain must do is to protect it,s industries. Manufacturers and farmers are carrying a heavy burden of taxation, yet they are asked to compete with countries where the burden is not so heavy. It simply can’t he done.

The people of New Zealand will learn with regret that little advance has been made to promote trade with the Motherland. Personally I have little hope of a solution of the problems through the quota /system. Britain has received n visit from our All Blacks and should think of the Dominions and Motherland in the light of the Rugby team. You won’t get anywhere- unless you adopt the team -spirit The department of games in which wo see most, hope of improvement is in passing. We in the Dominions have passed the ball of preference. What I want t-o know, is. if the Motherland is going to pubs the ball hack to us?” Air Forbes on Sunday night visited Rhodes Trust and addressed a meeting of the Raleigh Club at Rhodes House at Oxford. LONDON, October 27.

Air Forbes and other Dominion delegates luncheoned at Carlton Ladies’ Club, Viscountess Bridgemau presiding, and had dinner at the Canadian Club after which they attended the South African reception.

Mr Forbes to-night welcomed the news from Wellington that Parliament had gon'e into recess, and expressed the opinion that contrary to the general expectation that his Government would last the full three years’ term. He appreciated the manner in which the Opposition had observed the political truce 1 in his absence. His only regret was that earlier misleading press reported here that his Government was defeated, when the subject concerned in unimportant departmental point.