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Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1932, Page 4

The address by Mr Baldwin af the Canadian Club foreshadowed that Ottawa iis ' not going to realise all that was hoped and expected. The Deputy Premier; however moralised, and in such a strain that he may . be classed a? one of- England’s “fruitful noble men.” What Mr Baldwin said, was an indication of the best in British ideals. We. can realise with the foreign obligations in regard to debt and trade, Britain as a great consuming .nation has t 0... walk warily in tine matter of oversea trading. This was apparent from the outset, but ■when Britain entered upon such a conference, and the delegation was;\fortified as it wa.s with an army of experts on all aspects of trade and finance, something' tangible might have been de_ signed and was actually expected. The 1 conclusions are not yet revealed, but they are far- from meeting the demands of the oversea delegates. Mr Baldwin’s' words carried some /small comfort’as to the achievements of the Empire, and to .the manner in which t/he war period had been negotiated, as also the strenuous financial times, in which the world is involved in the aftermath, and there js pride and pleasure in the fact that in the; face of such odds and difficulties the Empire is emerging with credit untarnished. That is a . help for the future because of the confidence created, but Ottawa was not required to demonstrate that condition. The Conference which has brought so -many representatives of the far flung Empire together, has enabled a offearer understanding to be reached as to the general situation. This better understanding should be the foundation for greater goodwill, Knowing each other’s viewpoint, the future should h-Jd closer relation 5 and a firmer confidence and desire to help each other where possible. The outcome of Ottawa in the better understanding and riper .good-foil!, will be of growing advantage, aind there’should be now an established confidence in the unity of the Empire. The path ahead is still difficult, but it will be clearer by reason of Ottawa. ,Mr Baldwin’s homily -has much to commend it in the substance of his views, and his speech may help to temper the feeling of disappointment that something more tangible and immediately practical 'has not resulted. But regarding all the circumstances the conclusion will now be reached that too much was hoped for.