EMPIRE TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1930, Page 2

EMPIRE TRADE

CENSURE MOTION LOST

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE PROCEDINGS.

THE MINISTER'S REPLY TO MR BALDWIN’S CENSURE MOTION.

RUGBY, Nov. 27

Mr Thomas, replying, said that if any proposals had been made that would help British trade and give employment it would have been the duty to accept them, but the Government was asked to put a tax on foodstuffs and in return Canada was prepared to increase preference, but not to remove any tax. He expressed deep appreciation of the spirit in which preferences were given by the Dominions, but if they wore reduced to be bargains lie was certain that they would have disastrous insults. WORK OF THE CONFERENCE. Reviewing other features of the Conference’s work, lie said that it had enlarged the present scope of the Fioorpniic Committee, and had endeavoured to bring about new security for the Empire, though unfortunately tile latter pl-OpoSal had failed. He believed that that policy would mature at some future date.

The Conference also gave close consideration to the quota scheme, while proposals for bulk pur chaise and import Boards, which were examined, were being further explored in the desire to achieve something practical. He repudiated the suggestion that'the Dominions were disappointed with the results of the Conference, at which they had consolidated their existing positions, and the way prepared for the consideration of all economic problems which would help the trade of the Empire. A protest was made when Mr Thomas referred to the offer made by Canada as “humbug.” He said-that the Government was being censured for ’r.ot doing wliat Mr Baldwin himself could not have done if he had N On in office, without breaking his pledges against food taxes, made at the* last election. A LIBERAL’S OPINION.

Sir Herbert Samuel said that Empire 'trade had greatly developed in d-lie past generation. During lafet year the Empire bought £324,000,000 worth of our goods, but foreigners bought £405,000,000. Germany bought more than Canada, Holland more than New Zealand, (South America more (than Australia, while France equalled South Africa’s pqrahasas. The Ifiberals thought the Government was commendable rather than censurable for the oourse adopted at the Imperial Conference. MR SNOWDEN’S REMARKS, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Philip Snowden, said: “I do not flatter myself that my own interventions at the Imperial Conference decided its issues. The attitude of the ■Government regarding all problems was that of a united Government, which does not change with every change of moon. The opportunity we are supposed to have missed was the opportunity of taxing, the food of the people and endangering a large part of our foreign trade.” .Referring to Mr Thomas’s use of the word “humbug,” in regard to Mr R. B. Bennett’s proposals, Mr Snowden said that he had looked up the meaning of the word in Murray’s Dictionary and found, “This word is much in vogue with people of taste and fashion.’ ’ (Laughter.) Mr iSnowden said that during the fortnight before* be left Canada, Mr Bennett was engaged in preparations for the Conference. He was also engaged in arranging for large additions to the duties on British imports, and a certain Australian Minister recently in London, though not a delegate to the Conference, had said, “Our purpose is to bring your factories to Australia.” (More laughter.) Mr Snowden added that the Dominions wnnted all the sacrifice to be made by Great Britain. The censure motion was defeated by 299 votes to 264. MEMBER’S FACE SLAPPED. During the division, a Labour member walked across the floor and slapped Lord .Winterton across the face with an order paper. Lord Winterton took no notice, and the Speaker said that lie did not see the incident. Mr O. J. Simmons (Labourite) later rose and admitted the offence, and expressed his sincere apology, a remark which was greeted with cheers fi oni all parts of the House.