IMPERIAL ECONOMICS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1926, Page 9

IMPERIAL ECONOMICS

VIEWS OF DOMINIONS. THE STANDARD OF LIVING RESULTS OF CONFERENCE By Telegraph—P-css Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 12. Brilliant speeches distinguished a dinner given by the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire to the delegates to the Imperial Conference. Lord Klysant presided, and the guests included prominent British commercial men, the High Commissioners and Agents-G eneral. Lord Birkenhead, in proposing the toast of ‘The Overseas Dominions” after an optimistic reference to the coal strike negotiations, said that the ideal of the Empire is that every one of its members. whether in Winnipeg, Dublin, or Sydney, is a fellow of the whole. “The time has come,” he said "for realising the conditions under which a community such as ours can survive. You. cannot confinie sentiment in a straight waistcoat. I would approach the future of the Empire in the spirit of that amateur cast, which rehearsed vilely, but always knew when the first night came, it would turn out properly.” After reviewing the Empire’s part In the war, Lord Birkenhead said the greatest desire to attain decision marked the Imperial Conference’s discussions, many of which would lead to lasting harmony. Mr S. M. Bruce declared that every participant in the Imperial Conference appreciates the obligation to contribute to the unity and prosperity of the Empire. The fundamental principle emerging from our experience is that wc shall maintain the people’s standard of living. We are no longer prepared to accept the prosperity which is gained by a great volume of overseas trade and in foreign investments, if it is achieved through the sufferings and degradation of our own people. We, in Australia, have established this prinriple and hold it as a most sacred one. The only way the Empire can achieve it is by developing the Empire’s resources. The Dominions desire to cooperate in this direction, but the responsibility rests on Great Britain, which must set its face towards the task. The present conference will be regarded as on® that did something to stir the British people to increase production and distribution and to co-ordinate scientific research.

Great things should flow from the lead thus given, “but,” added the speaker, “Great Britain must look into the future and think in terms of the future. You must make up your minds what' you are going to do.” Mr. Coates urged the visualisation of the Empire as a unit, and pointed out the trade opportunities of the Dominions in which the Chambers of Commerce could help. Mr. Monroe advocated the development of the economic side of the Conference. “If,” he said, “we are united economically, socially and politically, the end can take care of itself.”

The Dominions should buy from Great Britain and vice-versa. Newfoundland had the world’s greatest deposit of iron ore, yet Great Britain imported iron from Spain and Sweden, and we have to sell jo Germany.

Mr. Havenga said that South Africa meiuded the descendants of two stubborn, freedom loving peoples. They would not accept any appearance of domination imposed upon them, but so long as the present constitutional position was appreciated as it was by Lord Birkenhead and inside the Conference, they would find a ready desire to shape the South African people's determination to retain association with the British commonwealth of nations.

Mr. L. C. M. S. Amery in proposing the toast of “The Federation of Chambers of Commerce,” declared that the present Imperial Conference would prove memorable. It started without great hopes of results which would appeal to public imagination, but with a sense of what is practical and real, it had laid in more than one direction solid foundations for the future.