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Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1932, Page 4

The discussions that 'have taken place over the results cf the Ottawa Conference have been of a mixed nature but generally, the comment has been of a favourable nature. A northern paper in the course of an article says it believes the collective result will 'be good, but the true test of the agreements depends on the effect of their operation in practice. The “Sun” Vancouver says the new tariff preferences will interest the world because they represent an international experiment that is going to have far-reach-ing consequences. If the experiment can teach a lesson on the folly of economic war it will have accomplished for the world a purpose more important than a mere revival of trade within the Empire. There can be no question that the British Government had this objective in mind when, through its representatives, it worked so hard to reach agreement with the Dominion delegations at the Conference. Failure would have been a disappointment to the Empire, but it would have, been also a most serious impediment to the ultimate: removal of the present ruinous system of prohibitive international tariffs. The fact thqt the nafigns of the British Commonwealth have been able to mlake mutual adjustments for facilitating the flow of inter-imperial trade has given foreign countries cause to think. Success in the Imperial sphere encourages the hope that similar results may be possible in the wider sphere of international trade relationships. The British Government fit all events is convinced that the Ottawa results represent an important step toward the restoration of world trade. Undoubtedly Britain now possesses a powerful bargaining weapon. She has undertaken not to reduce the existing general ad valorem duty of 10 per cent, unposed under the Import Duties Act on a large class of foreign goods, which are also enumerated in special schedules to the agreements with the Dominions whose 1 interests are affected.