OTTAWA RESULTS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1932, Page 6

OTTAWA RESULTS

RESULT OF CONFERENCE.

FOR' PARTNERSHIP.

.(United Press Association—By Electric . Telegra^b^CoT,yfigb*-) W. 1

(Received this day at 10.25 a.m.) OTTAWA, August' 22,

The atmosphere. at the Chateau was 'transformed in twenty-four, hpursthe lobbies vrpl e : , thronged, jpth "delegates, ' staffs, visitors, and eager newspapermen. Now,.. , although one traiji load of Conference' , people Jias departed, there is, an air, of emptiness .the gjlded .halls;. Most ,of those delegates femaining are making up arrears in sleep, which they missed in,,.the past, hectic few .clays and nights. ~ .. The considered view is that the Confer,enoe achieved a, great, deal. Australia, New Zealand and Canada suffered varying degrees, of disappointment on most vital matters, but. emerged with definite advantages. The result, is. such ; as—given an., early rise in prices-x-should materially assdist a revival, whqreas the . agreement .to operate for five years and the fact that Britain, notably regarding meat restrictions, has . taken. ,tlje power to cancel 1 > arrangements, indicates that the Uomjniops foy their part might'sucf cessfuily urge reconsideration® of certain provisions of the compact .in light of the. experience of their working. .Undoubtedly, 'Ottawa has laid the foundations of a closer business partnership between the Eimpire countries. ■ '

THE REMOVAL oV BARRIERS.

MEANS INCREASE IN TRADE

OTTAWA, August 21

In presenting . the agreements the •Conference recorded the commotion that, by the lowering or removal of harriers among British nations provided in agreements; the flow of trade between Empire countries will he facilitated, and' by the consequent .increased purchasing power of British people, ' world, trade will ! be • stimulated. '

\' The Conference further registered its belief that these agreements were a step forward which should’ lead to future progress, and which will utilise protective duties to ensure that Empire' resources and industries will he developed on sound economic lines. 1 All agreements that Britain ha® madie with the Dominions are now published. They' are identical in tfie main, principles with modifications in most cases of"purely'local application, f' The New Zealand agreement contain®' an importantprovision whereby the to institute an inqmi'y l .into ,tne .existing protective dutfes, and, where hec.ess'ary, to reduce them as speedily, as pbssiMe to a’ level' placing the British manufacturer in', the. .positiop of a-i. ddmestip ooiftpetitbr. ..An effort.. will he -. made to < bring the protection afforded the New | Zealand produeer to a’level giving the British ‘ manufacturer full. opportunity for reasonable competition on /a. basis, [of. relative posts, and . efficient production.

. The New Zealand Goverrmmt also undertakes that, no reduction shall he mad© in twenty per cent, ad valorem British preference margins, also, where ,the ipargin; exceeds twenty per cent, ad valorem it. shall not be reduced below twenty per cent., except with the. consent of the British Government.

New Zealand undertakes that the existing, primage duty ,of three per cent, ad valorem now la,vied' prt Britirb goods, which are.othenyise duty free.' shall not be increased, and shall , be. abolished 'as;soon as financial conditions permit it. All the agresments .cor-, tain the clause, (, I.n the event of owoumstances arising, which iii.the judgment of either Government necessitate a of agreeipent, |tje pveposa] -to vary the terms shall' form subject pf the consultat'on between the two Governments.” SATISFACTION IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, August 22, Generally speaking, representatives of - all .iiitei-ests 'affected N express ithemselve® ’as well pleaded with the Ottawa Conference decisions, though some regret that it. was found impossible to have the quota accepted.