The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, 1932. HIGH HOPES OF OTTAWA.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, HIGH HOPES OF OTTAWA.

' There are high hones of Ottawa on the eve of this great Empire Conference. Probably,, one of the best reasons for the great hopes is the fact that the Motherland is sending such a lep'.es'jnta.tive and influential delegation to lead the -Conference. Failure can hardly be antieijrated for such an enterprise, while Britain has set her hand to the notable task. The Br.tisli representatives on many oc‘casior.s ' have' managed difficult tasks, arid* succeeded in "overcoming difficult obstacles. Ottawa wiJ present such another .task, and equally the position oristles with obstacles. The British Empire is something on which the sun neyer sets. For the reason of its far-flung location, every \ phase is presented of industry and commerce, ahd .there is great, diversity in finance and banking. AH these divergent conditions have to be taken into account, in wilding the whole, and that is the task of the Conference, The leading statesmen of the Einpire are assembling and have with them ad'visers in. all departments of the r administration and in regard .to' the national finances. What then is to be expected , from this mfemorable Conference? The first effect will be doubt-; less a drawing closer together of all parts of the Empire in regard -.to trade. The world war showed how in the emergency of dang.r, the countries united and rallied to the common defence'. Now, there ‘is the call for equal unity and action in the common purpose of improving trade and industri«;i 'relations. The Conference may. be expected at the outset to express its • loyalty ) and fealty to the King, the only, exception perhaps in this Empire Act, being in the case of the Irish Free State which at the. time of writing' is doing its best . through extraordinary leadership on the part of the present President, to get ’ outside the King’s Dominions. That fact, however, is not likely to : mar the proceedings of the Empire delegates who -will fed that those who are not with us . are against us. Be that as it may itds not unlikely that the peculiar attitude at this juncture if the Jrish- Free -State, will do more ’to, consolidate the, Einpire than any other immediate event. The state o'f world finance to-day is such that some remedy for the position must be found. The Dominions have their troubles •and difficulties, but we see how Great Britain by strong leadership and a wave of unity, ,i&,pulling through and setting, an example. The Home delegation may point, a way for the visiting delegates to move also, and to do so may offer encouragement in trade and intercourse to make that trek '■easier.' Under sane and sensible government, Britain may be prepared to assist financially those Dominions prepared to trade more and more with the Motherland. That would not be difficult for New Zealand to do, for already the bulk of our national export is Britain-bound. The whole situation is pregnant with possibilities, and in the outcome all parts of the Empire must participate. It is because of this probability that there are high hopes of the outcome of -the business done at Ottawa, and may that Conference succeed beyond the expected measure.