N.Z. DELEGATION

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1932, Page 2

N.Z. DELEGATION

TO OTTAWA CONFERENCE

STATEMENT BY PREMIER

' By Telegraph — l’er Brets Association)

WELLINGTON, May 26

The Xew Zealand delegation tor the Ottawa Conference will be Messrs Forbo* Coat.s and Downio Stewart. The advisers of the delegation will

be IVietSs David Jones (meat); Yv. Goodl'o 1 low (dairy) ; H. E. Napier (fruit) ;l and Sir Francis Boys (Farmers' Union). The manufacturers' representative is yet to be selected. In announcing tho X.Z. Delegation for Ottawa, Mr Forbes raid that New Zealand warmly appreciated the exemption of Dominion goods from the duties imposed by the British Import Dulv- Act. He welcomed the assistance that promised to be afforded to New Zealand produce by the preferences thus granted. In discussing the "Hitud©. to be adopted at the Ottawa Conference by New Zcaiaud, he said, the Government had not only considered what further preference might be asked for, hut had alr.o searched in every direction wherein "" increased or an additional preference might be exteud-'d New Zealand to British goods. The Government looked forward to practical results. from the Ottawa Conference, but he deprecated any undue expectations of immediate or spectacular advanfa~e? to the people of Now Zealand. The delegation would make an earnest endeavour to avoid the spirit of bargaining in the deliberations. The principal aim should be one of voluntary co-operation and to secure th" lasting prosperity of the British Empire. I. th- Government’s opinion, the consideration of the problems of the price levei 1 , currency, and banking must form an important feature of ijie Ottav" deliberations, and the Government hrd taken steps with a view to having those questions included in the Agenda.

BRITISH INTENTIONS

LONDON. Mnv 26

The “Daily Mail” says: There max never any intention on the part of Britain to adopt a dictatorial attitude at the Ottawa Conference. The peopler of the Fmp’ve may be quite sure that the British delegates will not go with any cut and dried programme. The first de-h’n of tV British Government is to stimulate inter-imperial trade.

BRITAIN AND FCPFTOV TRADE

Lovun- May 25. In the Commons, Mr Baldwin said that whatever the Government might do, Britain could not divorce herself front events in other parts of the world, nor expect full recovery trade unless tiler© mas a revival’ o* trade throughout the ; wov.'d, Hope could be. found in the rapid progress we had made in dealing with national problems.

ARE’ TARIFFS AN EVIL?

RUGBY, May 25

References to the forthcoming Imperial Conference at Ottawa were made by Mr MacDonald in h's Empire Day speech. He said: -The great obstacle to-day to world prosperity, after reparation', is of nationalism, removed from its proper sphere of cultural arid political liberty, into manifestations of restrictions in interna(ionail trade. These when carried to lengths to which some States have carried them, mean the impoverishment of the whole l world.At Ottawa, I believe that we can lay the foundations of an economic poncy which will be mutually helpful to members of the Commonwealth, but which will not be paralys.ng to general world commerce. We can create free trade conditions over a vast run of the world. The Brill h Cosnmonwor.’th is not only security to intorr.al peace, but: a powerful world influence for universal peace.

CANADIAX-U.S.A. TARIFF

OTTAWA, May 25. The United States tariff increases on lumber and copper, practically creating an embargo, is drawing wide-,,-oread Canadian demands for retaliation. In British Qohmibia, it is -stated that half the mills -and the Britannia (Mine’s copper plant, the largest in the Empire, wou'd hav ( . to close. y[i- Rciinett. answering demands for retaliation, in the Commons, '-tilled that he doubted if the new duties will pass Congress, or the President s vote. The House will b 0 prorogued tomorrow.