A.— 6

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom undertook to examine carefully the above report of the Committee on Economic Co-operation on a quota for wheat, and, in the course of their consideration of this subject, to consult with the Governments of the wheat-growing Dominions and of India. (b) Quotas for Commodities other than Wheat, Import Boards, Bulk-purchase Schemes, and the Organization of Channels of Trade. After a preliminary discussion of quotas for commodities other than wheat, Import Boards, bulk-purchase schemes, and the organization of channels of trade, the Committee on Economic Co-operation decided that the most convenient method of examining them was to refer them to sub-committees for consideration with reference to particular commodities. Sub-committees were accordingly appointed to consider the possibility of extending the trade between the United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire by the above means. The Conference received the report of the Committee on Economic Co-operation on quotas for commodities other than wheat, Import Boards, bulk-purchase schemes, and the organization of channels of trade, and decided to refer it to the Governments concerned for consideration. (c) Imperial Shipping Committee. The Committee on Economic Co-operation had the advantage of hearing a statement by Sir Halford Mackinder, the Chairman of the Imperial Shipping Committee, on its work and functions. In the light of this statement, and after reviewing the position, the committee recommended, and the Conference adopted, the following resolutions: — " I. The Conference desires to place on record its appreciation of the value of the work done by the Imperial Shipping Committee, and to convey to the Chairman and members of the committee its thanks for their services. " 11. The Conference is of opinion that it is desirable to maintain the Imperial Shipping Committee generally on its present basis, deriving authority from, and being responsible to, the Governments represented at the Imperial Conference." The committee also supported the recommendation of the Committee on Civil Aviation, subsequently adopted by the Conference,* suggesting that civil aviation should be represented on the Imperial Shipping Committee, and that a small addition should be made to the terms of reference of the Committee in order that it may be empowered to take into account facilities for air transport on the routes for maritime transport which it may survey. (d) Imperial Economic Committee. The Committee on Economic Co-operation examined with considerable interest the progress report of the Imperial Economic Committee. They recommended, and the Conference adopted, the following resolution : — " The Conference desires to convey to the Chairman and members of the Imperial Economic Committee an expression of its high appreciation of the valuable work which has been done by the Committee since the last Imperial Conference." In their progress report the Imperial Economic Committee made three suggestions of a general character: — (1) That the organization of an intelligence service on a Commonwealth basis should be considered : (2) That the creation and assimilation of Empire standards in regard to many trades, both of primary production and manufacture, should greatly simplify the promotion of inter-Imperial trade : (3) That further steps should be taken, under the lead of the Economic Organization of the League of Nations, to secure that trade statistics compiled by the various Governments of the world should be based on such common rules as will render them more truly comparable. The first of these suggestions is dealt with below (see section on the Empire Marketing Board) ; the second suggestion is dealt with in the report of the Conference on Standardization; the third suggestion will come under review by the Conference of Statistical Officers of the various parts of the British Commonwealth which it is proposed should be held in September, 1932|.

♦ See Resolution B, page 35. f See page 44.

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