OTTAWA AGREEMENTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 235, 3 October 1936, Page 12

OTTAWA AGREEMENTS

RESULTS DISAPPOINTING. NEED OF NEW METHODS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. "I think it is generally felt?in commercial circles that while the foundations that were laid were sound the results of the Ottawa agreements have so far fallen somewhat short of expectations," said Viscount Elibank at the opening session of the British Empire chambers of commerce conference today. "They, certainly have been effective up to a point, but I might be permitted to suggest that the various Governments concerned are perhaps moving forward too cautiously. I will not say more on this occasion, f,or the whole subject is to be debated next week.

"On the other side of the picture we find ourselves faced -by . competition from countries having very low standards of living, which we have helped to equip with .the most, modern machinery ".jjnless we recognise *the changed adopt, new methods to meet them, unrestricted competition in-price will lead to retrogression rather than progress in civilisation. Advanced ■ nations must • protect themselves against this, unless, which would be far wiser, means can be found to induce backward nations to raise their standards of living."