THE OTTAWA DELEGATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 77, 1 April 1932, Page 6

THE OTTAWA DELEGATION.

In view of tho great issues involved, it is very necessary that our delegation to the Ottawa Conference should bo as representative as possible. The Prime Minister must go, of course, by virtue of his office, and with him certainly should go the Minister of Finance, the Hon. "W. Downie Stewart. Mr. Downie Stewart not only has all the necessary facts at his fingers' ends, but he is a most capable negotiator. Dr. Craig, of the Customs, and Di\ Marsden, of the Board of Scientific Research, are mentioned as members of the party. Both have unquestioned qualifications for inclusion, but they are civil servants, and so to some extent represent official interests. The delegation ought to be strengthened by the inclusion of representatives of business interests, and at least one trained economist. The questions involved, and any decisions that may be reached are of vital importanco to the commercial community, and this community should most certainly be given an opportunity of expressing its views at the Conference itself. Steps have been taken to afford representatives of various interests an opportunity of placing their views before' the Cabinet Committee, but this is not the same as ' direct representation in an advisory capacity at a Conference where much will depend on special knowledge of many subjects.