EMPIRE MARKETS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1932, Page 3

EMPIRE MARKETS

THE FUTURE OF THE BOARD.

MR .FORBES STRESSES VALUE. WELLINGTON, April 5. The opinion that nothing should be done to limit the activities of the Empire Marketing Board, at least until after the Ottawa Conference, was expressed by the Prime Minister, ;Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, on Saturday in discussing a cable reference to tho board.

“From an Empire point of view,” Mr Forbes said, “the board has (tone exceptionally valuable work, and its pound-for-pound subsidy for research activities, as far as New Zealand is concerned, has.been of considerable assistance in the work which has Keen carried out. I cannot understand fthe suggestion in the cabled message films the abolition of the board or the curtailment of its functions is contemplated. ' “I sincerely hope that its operations particularly with reference to research, will not be interfered with. It will be remembered that the recent advertising campaign regarding the sale of Empire products was most helpful, and it would certainly appear to me thatno action should be taken by the Imperial authorities until fihe Ottawa Conference is held.

“The whole matter was discussed at the last Imperial Conference 't in London, and it was then agreed bv'all Dominion delegates that most valuable work bad been performed as a co ordinati.ng link regarding researcli.aricl the sale of Empire products. Tn view of the impression created-at.-the s-.lm-perial Conference .nd the conclusion reached that the activities would : continue, I. am convinced that nothing, definite wil Ibe done until the Dominions’ representations are heard at the Ottawa Conference.; I'look upon ..the Emnire Marketing Board as an organisation which has done anj is doing valuable Empire work.”