The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the Went Coast Times TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1932. THE OTTAWA CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the Went Coast Times TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1932. THE OTTAWA CONFERENCE.

Thrum are high hopes of expectations I developing a.s to the benefits to trade ! following the result of deliberations at j Ottawa. A comparatively short time ! has but to elapse before the event. It is essential that the New Zealand delegation should be well prepared to play its part in the discussions, and the Government lias put such preparation in hand none too early. •Interest in the Conference is not being confined to the Umpire. The request of the Government of Argentina to oc afforded representation at Ottawa is indicative of foreign appreciation of the importance of the Conference and of its possible effect on the dUtriiiution of trade. Trade relations between Argentina and Great Britain are most cordial. The South American republic, it is pointed out by an exchange, as the principal competitor of the Empire countries in the meat trade, and a considerable rival to them on the wheat market, is naturally interested somewhat closely in proceedings that may affect its trade position. Only last year a British trade exhibition was opened by the Prince of Wales at Buenos Aires, and the view that, by reason of the fact that British capital to the amount of more than £500,000,000 is invested in Argentina, that country should receive special consideration when Empire preferences are under consideration, lias not been scouted in London business and financial circles. That does not nicer the fact, however, that among countries of the Empire Argentina can have no standing. Upon the results of the discussions at- Ottawa great expectations are being built. On the otnor band, a shrewd observer, such ns Afr L. X. Ami ry, has not hesitated to ]■{ that if the Goufe-roiice should lie a failure I lie eonseqnein-es "'dl he di-nsinm •! to the Umpire. That all will lie plain sailing at Ottawa is by no means to be anticipated. Oille'iii”- viewpoints have In lie considered, find if pus-able rec iiicjleil, >■ 11 <• 1 1 as esi.-i between difT. rent classes of producers. These engaged in certain industries in some of the dominions niav lie presumed to regard the Conference somewhat dubiously, because of fipprclieiison that a snlista"! ml in-erea-'e in preference on the part <>l the dominie- c. to llritisii ma nil I act ll."el's mac advt tviy n.iV.d their own second ;ire imlii-'' ties. Vet: the dominions have lo fa the laid that llicv must-,-oincde a u 'id pro quo it I iedi expurl- are I have an except iuiial place nil the itiiiish market. Tin- Conference will lie cum nosed of representalive.s of the Governments ol tile Em|i*i e. tint, pair! ii- i?,ir industries 'are nnturallv desirous that their interests

■shall be safeguarded ay far as that may be possible. For this reason organisations such as the dairying industry and the .Meat Board in New Zealand have announced their intention of sending representatives to Ottawa to be in touch with the official delegation. It may he assumed that the wool-producing interests will adopt the same course as those representative of other industries which lind their markets oversea, and that the secondary industries of the Dominion, in view of the fact that their position is liable to be affected by the decisions of the Conference, will not be less desirous of having an advocate at Ottawa to furnish the official delegates with in the meantime in collecting data concerning the various industries, so that its representatives may lie ns conversant as possible with different aspect*? of the matters to he discussed, ami in providing that the various producers, and manufacturers’ organisations and commercial interests shall have the opportunity of placing their views before the Cabinet Com mi tee which has this preparatory task in hand. No decision Inns yet been arrived at concerning the representation of the Government of the Dominion. There has been a certain amount of thinly vieled propaganda in this connection. The Prime Minister and tte Minister of Finance, who is also Minister of Customs, ate clearly indicated as delegates for Ottawa if the exigencies df public affairs do not render 1 it too difficult for them to be itbseiit from the country for a few months at a time like the present. In selecting a very powerful delegation to attend the Ottawa Conference, one that has been spoken of as “its uest and strongest team,]’ the British Government has set a standard in this matter which the dominions will wish to emulate. The New Zealand deputation, whatever its numerical showing, should be qualitatively as strong as the circumstances will possibly admit.