The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1930. AN OFFER SPURNED.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1930. AN OFFER SPURNED.

In view of the somewhat acrimonious controversy which has developed round tiie offer of additional preferences made on behalf of Canada at the Imperial Conference, it may be well to make it clear precisely what Mr Bennett said and what he evidently meant to c-onvey. He began by appealing to the Conference to affirm the general principle of Imperial Reciprocity. Holding that each member of the Imperial Federation must, in the first place, consider the interests of its own citizens, he maintained that every unit of the Empire must benefit by “the broadening of the home markets of Fanpire States to 'Empire products” in preference to foreign products. But Mr Bennett did not confine himself to generalities. He proposed 1 that a further all-round preference should be established throughout the Empire, “based upon the addition of a 10 per cent increase on prevailing general tariffs or upon tariffs yet to be created.” This proposal as it stands would mean an increase of 2.f to 3.f per cent in itho Canadian preferential hates granted to Britain, without indicating what measure of preference might bo expected in return. Mr Bennett also suggested that, in further recognition of the principle of Imperial Preference, special freights should be granted for “Empire goods carried by Empire shipping between Empire ports.” It will ibe observed that the exact character of Mr Bennett’s proposal was of much less importance than the principle involved, and even the newspapers which did not approve of his scheme congratulated Canada on having brought the question of Imperial Preference to a definite issue by submitting a proposal that demanded an answer one way or the other. Unfortunately, Mr Thomas, in Replying to Mr Baldwin in the House

of Commons the other day, dismissed the whole matter with very scant courtesy. As Mr Bennett complains, in spite of the resolutions passed by the Conference, and the decision of the British Government to maintain existing preferences for the time, Mr Thomnts, although the Conference never seriously discussed either the whole question of preferences or .Mr Bennett’s own plan, dismissed the 'Canadian 'offer as “humbug,” without even suggesting any alternative proposal. It will hardly be denied that Canada is justified in resenting strongly isueh offensive and injurious treatment, which is certainly not calculated© either to assist .in the solution *of the complicated problems of Empire trade or to promote more permanent Imperial unity. B'ut, entirely apart from the indecorum and impropriety of which Mr Thomas was guilty, his high-handed behaviour may quite easily have the effect of modifying, Canada’s commercial policy radically in the future. F'or the possibility of effecting an economic alliance with th© United States has always been a great temptation to the Dominion, and Mr Bennett is not indulging in an empty threat when he hints that the Canadians may “embrace other m.earp t u nt are at hand of further strengthening their economic position.” Both Mr Bennett nnrl Mr Forbes have resented the attitude of Mr Thomas to the proposal made, and it is clear there was something of a, tension over the unhappy phrase used. It meant that, the good-will offer of the< Dominions was spurned in language which was hardly conventional, and there is no doubt from the tone of Mr Bennett’s public reply, after an. interval for consideration, that he was much perturbed at the handing of the Canadian offer by the Government representatives. Because of the rather tense situation which has arisen, the interest in the Ottawa Conference (when the discussion will he resumed), becomes all the more interesting.