DELEGATION SAILS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1932, Page 5

DELEGATION SAILS

FOR OTTAWA TO - DAY AUSTRALIA AND DOMINION. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) AUCKLAND, June 27. The paths of the Australian a.nd New Zealand delegations for the Conference at Ottawa, converged in Auek. lai d to-day. The two delegations will sail for Vancouver by the Aorangi to-mu-rew. The Conference will open at Ottawa on July 21. Led by lit. Hon. S. M. Bruce, the official Austiaaaiy delegation numbers 18. Several unofficial observers representing a variety of interests are also travelling with the party, which will be led by Pit. Hon. J, G. Coates, also assembled in Auckland to-day. It comprises, Mr Coates, the Hon. W. Dovvnie Stewart, also.two expert Departmental Advisers, and six Trade i Advisers. The total strength of the New Zealand delegation is ten., Messrs Bruce and Coates did not meet as strangers, for as Prime Minister of Australia and Prime Minister cf New Zealand respectively, they represented their countries at the Imperial Conference in London in 1020. It is a cciiticidehcc that, although each now holds a different position, their reunion after nearly six years is made still in the capacity of leaders of delegations.

Several private meetings relating to the Conference were held in Auckland. There was also a conference between the related sections in each delegation interested in the export of dairy produce. Opportunities for discussing further questions of mutual interest will be provided during the voyage to Vancouver, where the Aorangi is due on July 15.

As countries largely dependent on the British market for the disposal of their surplus primary products, Australia and New Zealand probably will have more in common than any other units of the Empire, and in order to remove any suggestion of sectional bargaining from the Conference, deliberations, preparatory steps are being taken to frame policies, which wherever practicable, will not conflict.

Valedictory functions largely ncrnoied the attention cf t’e NZ: delegates to-day. Presentations to Mr and Airs Coates were made by Reform Party supporters, when the best wishes were .extended for a successful issue to the Conference. Mr Coates paid an official call on the Governor-Gen-eral. Lord Bledisloe, and was the guest of the Officers’ Club at luncheon.

! Mr Bruce, Air H. S. Gullett : ( j"ajf Minister cf Trade Mid domtaefeej I tiiid Mr DoWnie Stewart \Vefb fehtefI tnitied at luncheon at the Northern 1 Club.

Many of the Australian visitors were taken on a tour of the city. During the afternoon Mr Bruce played * round of golf at Middlemore, Four Ministerial members ‘of the delegates were the guests of Lord Biedisloe at dinner at Government House. Air Coates also broadcast a valedictory message to-night from station IYA. It is expected the delegations will return during September or October. Mr Bruce, however, will proceed from Ottawa to London, whei“ he wi’l act as Resident Minister.. "When his appointment to that pest was announced in February, it was pointed out that Australia’s financial position in London needed most skilful and careful handling, and that a short term debt and loan of- £13,000,000, falling due in November, required particular attention. Mr Bruce was unable to indicate when be would return to the Commonwealth, but the impression is held that bis absence from Australia will not be unduly prolonged. MR COATES’ FAREWELL SPEECH. ANTICIPATIONS FOR OTTAWA AUCKLAND, June 27. Speaking at the luncheon tendered t.o him by the Returned Officers at the Officers’ O’-üb, Air Coates referred to the Ottawa Conference.

The measures that- had been taken m New Zealand to relieve the distress caused by the faM in prices levels he said, were rather like closing the door after the horse had got out of the stable, His colleagues in the Government wore agreed that, if possible, they might to begin at the other end, by dealing with the cause. In saying that the spirit of bargaining should on avoided at the Ottawa Conference 1m meant that there should be no aim to handle trade to the advantage of one ••wintry and at the expense of another. Be was convinced that such po'icy would do no good to the Empire as a whole. The purpose should b e to arrive at a plan which would help the people of the Empire, and','at the same time, giv e a lead to the rest of +' ,p world. It was realised that Great Britain must necessarily depend largely upon world trade. In addition, tber ■ unis the British Einp’re, withh which there was ample, room for developing the exchange of raw products and mnnufacfui’^d* gootU. It. might be that the Ottawa Conference would sot in motion h process that, would quickly solve the problems confronting the peoples of the Empire.

"Wo see to-day the great efforts that the statesmen of Britain are making to remove barriers to trade." continued Mr Coat,s. “T believe that Britain and her institutions are destined to play the next part in bringing about a

new world atmosphere, a sense of peace, security and confidence that is necessary if we a,re to bring back price levels and readjust conditions generally.’’ - V k —*' FREE STATE RELEGATION OTTAWA, June 26. Air Sean O’-Keliy, the Vice-Pre*id-eut of the Irish Free State Executive Council in Air do Valeras Government, will lead the Irish Free State delegation of the Imperial Economic Conference. Mr Sean Lemae-s, the Minister of I’edustry and Commerce and .Mr .James •Ryan, Che Minister of AgrcuUure, are the other ifcwo official representatives, according to official advice received here to-night. % ■MTS——— m ..