SNOWDEN’S THREAT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 13 July 1929, Page 7

SNOWDEN’S THREAT

TO DROP PREFERENCE KEEN CONTROVERSY IN BRITAIN DOMINIONS DISTURBED (United JPr«M Auaociation —By Elootrlc Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian Press Association) LONDON, 12th July. Mr Snowden’s threat to drop preferences has aroused keen controversy. The newspapers are publishing lengthy cables from the dominions stressing that loss of trade will inevitably ensue, apart from the larger issue of linking up the Empire. i The “Daily Telegraph” says it is now disclosed that Mr Snowden’s announced intention has. seriously disturbed the public mind in each of the dominions. Even slight knowledge of tno public feeling in the Empire overseas \tovld have warned Mr Snowden that preference was not regarded solely as a matter of business. It is regarded as a muni test of sympathy,and desire for more intimate Inter-Imperial relationship. The paper refers to Mr Snowden’s tentative proposal for a special Imperial Economic Conference to see what can be done t'o extend inter-imperial trade. It also dwells on the idea favoured here and in the dominions of a conference of experts to work out a concerted policy of Empire trade which may subsequently be submitted to the Imperial Conference, such :as Mr Snowden suggests. It believes ’the time is ripe for the adoption of both these -proposals, and stresses that .therefore it is most vital that the proposal should not he prejudiced either by the premature, or ill-considered declarations of the Government’s intention oh, the one hand, or the brandishing of unauthorised fiscal programmes by individuals of the opposite party on the other hand.