WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1932, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE OTTAWA CONFERENCE.

DOMINIONS’ DEMANDS.

(From a Corresponuent)

MILLINGTON July 25.' Judging from the outlines of ’the “business” speeches delivered by the Lading delegates of the four principal Dominions represented at the Ottawa Conference during the weekend, the -M ocher Country is. not going to find i..s ofi-spring having the reeonstrucLun of the commerce and finance of tiie Empire in its hands without making their own opinions known. Mr Dennett, ’the representative of Canada, insisted that secondary industries must allow the primary industries to progress. Mr Coates, who spoke for thirty minutes instead of the allotted ten, emphasised New Zealand’s' preference rights as well as a quota system Mr Bruce, “in no uncertain terms l ,” demanded for Australia assistance for the meat industey, and Mr Havenga announced 'chat South Africa desired td be a real factor in the chilled beef industry. Mr Coates and Mr Bruce refrained from express- ; ing any desire to interfere with this 1 venture, but Mr Havenga saw in it substantial advantages to the Empire. MORE PROTECTION. Propounding the case for New Zealand', 'Mr Coates declared that' this'country sincerely desired that Britain should increase its existing preferences and extend them to the length of embracing products not already hole. “New Zealand,” he told the Conference “is concerned regarding the threatened Hooding of on which A relies. It also considers the imposition of the quota by Britaih upon dairy produce, meat and fruit as urgently necessary. We are convinced that the quota can be applied without injury to the British citizens’ welfare either as consumers or as producers.” This, of course, is very plausible so far as it goes, and perhaps Mr Coates and his colleagues have in mind a scheme by which highpr prices for dairy produce, meat and fruit to the farmers would produce lower rates to' the consumers, hut so far this feat has not been demonstrated, Dear wheat has not yet produced cheap bread. AUSTRALIA’S SACRIFICE.

Mr Bruce, the leader of the Australian delegation,, seems to have, fortified himself with more figures than Air Coates employed. His purpose was to demonstrate the concessions •the Commonwealth had made to ‘the Mother Country during recent years. “Prior to the depression,” lie said, ‘.four preference averaged 15 per cent, advantage to Britain. Australians always have shown a strong sentimental liking for British goods. We have applied the ...system even to . largequantities of raw material; required Tor-; our - industrial life. Since the delegation .fieft Australia I have keen informed that our adverse balance o £32,000,000 has been converted in’te 'a favourable balance of £3i,000,000 for the year 1931-32 and yet we are producing at a loss.” Australia has announceed its intention to adherer to all preferences now operating where the Mother Country has the whole trade. A BIG PROBLEM.

In reviewing the ( position from 'such material as is available, the “Dominion” emphasises the need for caution. “Once the quota system is admitted,” it says, “it might not be long before it was applied to Empire products to protect tile British farmer. As recent discussions in Britain have proved, the British farme. is not Wind to the possibilities. The reaction of the British investor in foreign countries, and' of the British consumer, must also be carefully weighed. The operation of quotas indeed might prejudice the whole cause, of Imperial preference. It may be expected therefore, that the question will be very thoroughly examined and it may • prove a thorny subject in the discussions which are to follow.” Under .the guidance of Mr Stanley Baldwin the members of the Conference are not likely to overlook any ot the grer.t problems involved in their deliberations nor to omit ’giving them the closest attention.