OTTAWA POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 140, 15 June 1932, Page 7

OTTAWA POLICY.

AUSTRALIAN VIEWS.

Ministerial Delegate Hopes For

Good Results

COURSE TO BE AVOIDED. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The Minister of Customs, Mr. H. S. Gullett, one of Australia's delegates to the Ottawa Conference, in a farewell speech, expressed his belief that substantial benefits would come to Australia from that conference, but its success would not come if decisions injured sections of the Empire.

Ho considered it was impossible to expect any benefits for wool. There were difficulties also in regard to wheat. The position in regard to meat was slightlybetter and the prospects were bright for other products.

He was not going to Ottawa with a plan for writing the tariff up and down. The Commonwealth Government was resolute in regard to that aspect of policy. DE VALERA GOING. IRISH DELEGATION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 14. Arrangements were completed to-day for the representation of the Irish Free State at the Ottawa Conference. These provide that Mr. de Valera will head the delegation accompanied by Mr. Sean Lemass, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr. Ryan, Minister of Lands and Fisheries, and probably Senator Connolly and Senator Johnson, the last representing Labour.

A message from Dublin says the Free State Cabinet rose at 12.50 a.m. to-day after a six-hours' sitting. Mr. de Valera refused to make a statement.

The "Daily Express" says Mr. de Valera had a telephone conversation with Mr. Thomas. This was understood to be in reference to the suggestion that the oath issue should be postponed until both Governments had conferred with the Governments of the Dominions at Ottawa, The consultations between the Canadian Government and the other Governments to be represented at the Ottawa Conference have not yet been completed. EMPIRE CURRENCY. CANADIAN BANKER'S PLEA. (Received 1 p.m.) OTTAWA, June 14. A hope that the conference will establish an Empire currency was expressed by Mr. J. F. Darling, a director of the Midland Bank. It would not affect the Dominions' note issues. Silver should be stabilised as word exchange and medium parity could be achieved between the Dominion currencies. OTTAWA DETAILS. Method of Opening Conference Undecided. REGRET AT N.Z. POSITION. OTTAWA, June 9. The occasion of the opening of the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa on July 21 is regarded as one of supreme importance, but the character of the opening function, while being considered, is not yet decided upon.

It is understood that the Prince of Wales is not unwilling to come to preside at the opening, but it is believed to be questionable whether the British Government will consent, because of the political nature of conference events.

The "Montreal Herald" and the "Vancouver Province" have urged strongly that the King himself should be invited to come. For the most part the deliberations will be in camera, with perhaps a dozen committees working, and the formal opening of the conference may mark the first plenary session.

While the British delegation will be only eight in number, the staff accompanying them will number 08, consisting of various officials, technical advisers and stenographers.

There is disappointment over the announcement that the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. G. W. Forbes, and his colleague, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, will both be unable to come, and that perhaps there will be only one Minister from that Dominion. From all the other Dominions the complements will be full.

BRADFORD'S ADVICE.

AUSTRALIAN TARIFFS

LONDON, June 9.

An authoritative indication of the Bradford woollen attitude to Australia at Ottawa has been .supplied to the "Sydney Sun." Bradford desires that Australia should consider seriously the lowering of the duties on woollen and worsted piece goods. Manufacturers argue that Australian tariffs, despite British preferences, are still unjustifiably high.

Lancashire cotton interests contend that a self-contained Empire is a far-off reality. Even if Australia and Canada abandoned, their secondary industries, they declare, they could only keep a small proportion c f the Lancashire and Yorkshire mills running. Moreover, they 6ay, Britain could not purchase all her necessary foodstuffs and raw materials from the Dominions unless the latter's populations were rapidly increased.