The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1932. BRITAIN'S CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 178, 29 July 1932, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1932. BRITAIN'S CASE.

For the cause that Jacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

What is described as the "most vital pronouncement" since the Ottawa Conference assembled comes from the leader of the British delegation. So far the proceedings at Ottawa have resembled the manoeuvres of opposing armies in sight of each other. Cases have been stated, principles affirmed, detailed proposals outlined —all in public. The delegations have yet to come to friendly grips and see whether the policies, requirements and objections raised in opening the "battle" can be reconciled. To the Dominion expositions of the ease for Imperial preference, Mr. Baldwin has replied with a statement of the British case that must have a sobering effect rpon extremes of Dominion enthusiasm. Mr. Baldwin is a moderate protectionist, but much of his statement might have been spoken by a free trader. It goes further than a free trader would in supporting the principle and practice of preference, but it states the old free trade argument about the value of Britain's foreign trade and the danger of interfering with it. Mr. Baldwin acknowledges the value of Dominion preference, and points, on the other side, first to the freedom that the Dominions have enjoyed in the British market, and then to the preference that has been given to them there. But, he says, there is to-day practically no free entry to the Dominions. He draws the attention of tl]e Dominions to the value of Britain's foreign trade, which is greater than her trade with the rest of the Empire. If this foreign trade is checked, the purchasing power of the people will be lessened, and the value of the Dominions' main market will be damaged.

"If it is to give material assistance, preference must not be so high as to seriously restrict importation." In these and other words Mr. Baldwin indicates to the Dominions that Britain expects them to lower their tariffs. The speech is a statement of Britain's economic difficulties and a plain intimation that the Dominions have not yet offered enough, or at any rate that they must give more weight to the British ease. Mr. Baldwin spoke, it mustbe remembered, after Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand had outlined what they wished and were prepared to do, and what he said is a reply to the Dominions as well as an opening exposition of Britain's ideas. His speech was addressed to Dominion publics as well as to the assembled delegations, and it is a plain warning that Britain expects colonials to appreciate the value of her trade with other countries, and that she. wishes to be granted a less restricted entry into Dominion markets. It now remains to be seen what agreement can be come to on the two bases of Britain's and the Dominions' interests and desives. Every delegation has to remember fhe public opinion behind it. Mr. Baldwin cannot overlook the fact that Labour has just won a by-election in his own country on the old and potent cry of dearer food.