IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1930, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

MR FORBES’ IMPRESSION

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

(Received this dav at 12.25. p.m.l LONDON, October 28.

Mr Forbes was profoundly impressed with the opening of Parliament. Ho later listened to the debate in the Commons commenting on Mr MacDonai'ci's references to the Imperial Conference. He expressed the opinion that the .subject had been unfairly presented. Dominions were represented as wanting something from Britain in order, to give them an extended market here, while no word was saM about the local producers need for protection from foreign competition. Britain’s first duty was to protect her own primary producers. If she did that she would be in a position to give the Dominions the secoifd position to her own farmers. LONDON, Oct. 28. Alluding to Mr MacDonald’s claim that there were other ways apart from tariffs for stimulating inter Empire trade, Mr Forbes described the o ass age as merely words. The whole question of protecting local agriculture and assisting the .Dominions had been thoroughly thrashed out in Britain for years. Even the quota idea was years old. “1 do believe there is a single new fact thereanent ascertainable, but it is now presented as if it were a new discovery, needing more exploring by a new permanent Empire economic bureau. Utero is already an Imperial Committee ol the Empire Marketing Board. I am afraid it is an old case of politicians dodging when in an awkward position, to appoint a royal commission. ’ MR SCULLIN’S INTENTIONS (Received this dav at 12.25. p.m.) LONDON, October 28. Apparently Mr Scull in lias thus far not altered his original intention to see the Conference through. Mr Seullin had a lengthy telephone conversation witlrMr Fenton this iiiorn_ nig, but declines to comment on the Australian crisis.