TRADE RELATIONS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10266, 19 June 1911, Page 5

TRADE RELATIONS

CABLE NEWS

United Press Association — By Electric Telearavh— Copyright.

AN IMPORTANT PROPOSAL.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.

(Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.)

LONDON, June 17

Speaking at the Imperial Conference in support of the Commonwealth, trade resolution, Sir Wilfrid Laurier said it would be difficult to secure an improvement without more information. He therefore moved "That His Majesty the King be approached to appoint a Royal Conimission, representing Britain and the Overseas Dominions, to investigate the natural resources, development attained and attainable, and facilities for production, manufacture, and distribution of trade in each part with others on our side of the world; the food and raw material requirements of each, with the sources thereof available, and to what extent the trade between the different parts is affected by existing legislation, beneficially or otherwise."

The Right Hon. L. Harcourt said ■the resolution was another step in the policy wihikib. was tHie governing note at the Conference, , namely, not Imperial concentration, but Imperial co-operation. In one respect the resoluditon might be misunderstood, and he proposed to add, "by What methods, consistent with the existing fiscal policy, each part's trade could be improved and extended." This would show that the Commission did not intend to make recommendations of one policy for the Dominions or Motherland, but to place the whole Empire in a better position for future co-opera-tion.

Mr Fisher said the resolution was a practical way of dealing with difficult questions. The Commission must look freely into every matter likely to afford useful information, and not dogmatise as to tiie right methodsi upon, which the different countries should conduct their own. affairs. It was essential that the Commission should include men of high standing.

Mr Pearce said the- proposal met the position practically and would enable them to deal with trade matters at pre sent in the air. The addendum of the Hon. Mr Harcourt wasi essential if a workable decision w&& desired!

The Right Hon. H. H. Asquith stated that the Conference was indebted to Sir Wilfrid Laurier for his practical proposition. It would prepare the way, and possibly, make the way plain for effective action at next Conference, or sooner. The Commission, should be an advisory body, with a r,eference a,s wide as they could make it without making actual suggestions to the States. The policy anywhere, and in every Dominion, should be to pursue the fiscal policy best soiiffced to the requirements. The Commission should visit every part of tihe Empire. The Government would secure the best men possible.

Mr Fisher said the Commonwealth was. ready to share the expense. The burden ought not to rest entirely on the Motherland.

' Sir Joseph Ward and Sir Wilfrid Laurier thought similarly.

Mr Asquith said he was grateful for the suggestion. The amended resolution was put and carried.