OTTAWA DISCUSSED

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1932, Page 5

OTTAWA DISCUSSED

“RECKLESS STEP”

LORD BEAVERBROOK’S VERDICT.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.).

LONDON, August 25,

“This-Is' not Empire- free trade! It is not- Mr Baldwin V imperial economic unity,! It-is, at the most, a reckless ste# or two in that'direction !” The fdffegding is'Lord Beaver brook’s verdict on the Ottawa Conference us published in the “Daily Express.’’ ■ He coihplains, with regard to the Argentine beef trade,- M £hat the British Government has listened to the financiers who- say that there is five hundred millions qf British capital invested in Argentina; but he'says that much of this bias been irretrievably lost, whereas the .capital value of British agriculture 1 is about two''.‘ thousand millions, and there is another two thousand millions invested in the Dominions.

Lord Beaver brook 1 declared that the proposed duty on frozen beef imports would bo worthless. The Argentine meat exporters eftil substitute chilled meat for frozen meat whenever they please. He declares that he will continue a campaign until there ore duties imposed on beef and on pig-meat, and- will also demand fair treatment for Data and barley.

BANKER HAS GRAVE DOUBTS.

REGARDING TRADE AGREEMENTS. ••• SYDNEY; August 25. Speaking at a luncheon, Mr Davidson, the General Manager of. the Bank of NeW South Wales, said: “There are 1 very grave dangers in the trade agreements entered into at the Ottawa Conference;’’ 1 He described the Conference as a serious attempt' by politicians to pursue a policy of interference Beyond their own bounds, : He added: There is a serious danger ;to the Empire, if we are to' have political interference with inter-Empire trade. If the preferences mean '- the raising of tariff walls within the Empire, this cannot fail to raise costs of production throughout the Empire; making it less able to compete in the markets of the world. <■ The outlook would be very serious. If this is-to be the result, the people should be told the truth, which is that the. Ottawa Conference is not going ,to make things smooth for us.

THE BRITISH DELEGATION.

RUGBY, August 24

The British delegatioh ftolii Ottawa fere ;due at Sduthaiiiptoh oh Friday afternoon, Mi* Rrtidwilt will broadcast from 10 p.ffi. on Saturday, on the Ottawa agreement. Tim Prime Minister will preside fit ft meeting M the Cabinet on Saturday morning. The meeting: will afford an opportunity of consulting members ot the British delegation upon the work at the Ottawa Conference,