CANADA’S WARNING

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1930, Page 3

CANADA’S WARNING

A TRADE REBUFF. | United Rieas Association.—By Eloctru Telegraph.—Copyright. j LONDON, Dec. J. “The Rt. Hon. ,J. H. Thomas, (Secretary of State for the Dominions), condemned beyond the possibility of further discussion in language deeply resented by the Government, Canada’s proposal which I made in a sincere desire to meet our individual and common deeds,” sayys Mr Rennett, i -mJulian Prime Minister, in a statement referring to Mr J, H. Thomas’s speech in tho House of Commons on November 27th. Mr Bennett declards that Mr Thomas used terms that were as unusual as they were injurious to the proposal. He, jM-r ißp.nnett belieV'd tho proposal contained tho licst solution of the urgent problem of closer Empire economic association. The Canadian Premier adds: “I have refrained from making an earlier illusion to the matter in the hope and expectation that the far-reaching consequences which must inevitably attack Mr Thomas’s statement would have compelled its denunciation by the British Government, whose failure to do so must be construed as an endorsement thereof.”

Mr Bennett emphasised tied, tin delegates of the Imperial Conference now separated in an earnest dud re and hope that the Ottawa Conference on Empire trade would enable the discovery of some means of common acceptability for Empire economic associations.

He adds:—“Mr Thomas must be taken as having condemned, alike tho principle which all ef film Dominions arm roved, a specific illustration of which wejs advanced when :> move was made to remove the debates from purposeless unnrofital’le generalities. Mr Thomas condemned ; t dr,soito the resolution which, the Conference passed, despite also her own Government’s statement of poßev and desnite the fart that the conference had not iscriouslv discussed either the principle of preferences er i”v plans to make them operative. F" aho condemned it without offering a °ositive alternative ior<y>osal. T regret to refer to his statement, but there is no other course in justice to Canada and to the cause of Empire o'-nnomn unity: for. if his statement indicate* the British attitude towards tin Ottawa Conference, T have little liorp than any agreement which Cauad” may reach with the Dominions will include the United Kingdom. Time is running against, us. UTi’naih’s T>v°rosal is to be thus contemptuously rejected. these Canadians can onlv cmbrace other means that a’-a at, hand of further strengthenimg their economic positions.” A CRUSHING STATEMENT. (Received this dav at M a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 2. The “Daily Telegraph” describes Mr Bennett’s statement as crush inn sue 1 ' n,s was never published during his t'U"' relations with Britain and Domin ions, in spite of periods of transient disagreement. Fortunately Mr Thomas’s speech hinds onlv the Government. which is totterinc- for a fa and has P-oon dealt a fatal blew bv this revelation.