THORNY PROBLEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1932, Page 3

THORNY PROBLEMS

BRITAIN’S PREFERENCES

TRADE WITH DOMINIONS

LONDON, April 29

There appears little likelihood of Britain giving preference to the dornitiions on meat, wheat, wool and hides at the Ottawa Conference. The meat situation, however, is not., so hopelees as it was a few weeks ago.

The Australian Attorney-General, Mr .'Latham, had a long talk with the Lord President of the Council, Air Baldwin, regarding meat, and other dominion representatives conferred on the sum subject with 'he Secretary lor the Dominions, Air Thomas. The result is that the {Jovernmen: has undertaken to examine Hie position regarding meat. Members of the Government, particularly the President t ,f the Board of Trade, Air Ruueinmn. were averse to taxing beef, primarily because chilled beef is the staple product of the middle classes and the dominions provide a mere port! m of Britain's requirements.

The Government is also loath to fax the Argentine product in view of enormous British investments there. i?inther complications arise owing {o Brhish agriculturists’ clamour for protection, even against the dominions. The wheat situation has siniihi'y undergone a change. The (Jo.'crumei c adheres to the quota, but some sectu.r.s realise that that will not greatly asset Australia, though it is difficult to ‘oe ■what can replace it. Australia and 'Canada together supply more wlnvi than Britain consumes.

The Russian output is a problem because prohibitive measures would moan that Russian wheat wo lid ■■' diverted elsewhere, further . lepiessim; prices. Such problems prompt el recent Ministerial warnings not to exp M -r miracles from Ottawa. Brp.Tus ieal hope is that Ottawa will lav the foundations of a long-range poll ‘V hadin ; to Empire economic unify.

MISS LLOYD GEORGE’S PLEA

LONDON'. Apr' 2d

“A bird iri the hand is wort u two i the Australian hush,” deem-rr if. a* Megan Lloyd George, moving a v- c ohi

tiou n't the women's Liberal Cono vmv', urging that Empire tariff agnvnii ids reached at Ottawa simulrl. not arid' l ' Britain offering and fircepUn.' fivoieahle trading terms with foreign n.iti< r;?.

Dominions in many re p aws did lief treat, Britain as u.4j as foreigners, offered a dwindling marro.t r pe it'-li (foods, and il would be

difficult to increase Empire trade with ouf seriously injuring vital foreign com.

meree, she Said