The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1931. PREFERENTIAL TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1931. PREFERENTIAL TRADE

The discussion in the House of Representatives on the Statute ol Westminster indicated a strong desire for preferential trade. The Imperial Conference actually gave very little encouragement for such thought, for me result from the New Zealand point of view was very disappointing. Mr F'orbes in his review described the Conference on the economic side as “very largely a future.” To begin with the British Government was essentially a free trade Ministry, and the arguments from overseas fell on barren ground. Mr Forbes, it is well known, put the case for New Zealand clearly before the Conference In the desire for Empire preference in trading, but his remarks met with no better' fate than the more “hectoring” speeches of some of the other oversea speakers. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is definitely opposed to tariffs, being confirmed in his free trade ideas,

and he is strong enough to control the Home Government on the issue. It was therefore a, rather false start on the part of the Conference to try amP sway the Labour Government from its accepted principles in this matter. The ventilation of the matter helped to draw public opinion, and a notable convert lias been secured in Mr Baldwin, the Conservative leader, who is the alternative Prime Minister to Mr MacDonald if the coming general elections at Home swing against the Labour party. From this and from other signs, notably a favourable press, Mr Forbes formed the. opinion that public opinion is veering round, and that the traditional policy of free trade is in danger of being abandoned. This optimism about the Home situation is not very manifest in the recurring byelections, but probably in the general elections, the subject will be the more definite issue at the polls. Mr Bald; win now committed to "a general emergency” tariff, pending the setting tip a Tariff Commission, to make definite recommendations as to the scope of the taxation. But there is always the cry of taxing the food, and that is a bogey which will determine many thousands of votes. Too greatest help for Now Zealand produce could come only from a preference tariff for Empire products, but even Mr Stanley Baldwin'' Wfiuld not commit himself in advance for that form of taxation. The point of trade within the Empire, seems to be lost sight of, though herein lies the crux of the position in regard: to trading for Empire expansion upon economic lines. The preferential proposals are favoured generally by the Dominions, and it is some advance at least, to have the declaration of Mr Baldwin as the leader of the party with the. best prospects at the coming polls.