THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20085, 14 November 1930, Page 13

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

ECONOMIC ISSUES. A LONG-DRAWN BATTLE, rasas association ewr.craie TBI.KGBAfH—COPTBIOBT.) LONDON, November 12. For the firs ttime in the present Imperial Conference the heads of the delegations adjourned for afternoon tea, evidently to allow thoir frayed nerves to regain their composure after the long-drawn battle over the economic issues, especially preferences and quotas. Though Mr Snowden, Chancellor of the Exchequer, grimly resists any idea of food taxes, there is a feeling that to-morrow he may recede from his rigid negative to the retention of the existing preferences, though it is doubtful if he would retract the definite statement he made in the House of Commons, that he would- repeal them at the first opportunity. On the contrary, it is suggested that an escape may be found by the relegation of both economic questions to the special Economic Conference in 1931, the place of which has not been indicated, though Ottawa is mentioned. Mr Snowdeti protested that the Dominion delegates got a flying start with thoir broadcast speeches in stressing the importance of preferences, before Britain had the time or opportunity to examine the questions. The retort was made that it was strange that in the closing hours of the Conference Britain was still unable to make up her mind to settle the issu& one way or tho other. Constitutional Questions. Though the communique mentions the approval of reports on constitutional matters, it is understood that agreement was only reached by expunging all mention of difficult and eontrover- ; sial points. For example, there, is reason to believe that the Irish Free State was dissatisfied with going to Tha Hague; but Britain, under tho Optional Clause reservations, will decline to go and tell Ireland to take the matter to the Empire Tribunal, to which it. is expected that Ireland will give a negative. So how the tangle will be unravelled, nobody knows. FINAL MEETING. PLENARY SESSION FIXED FOB TO-DAY. ! (pair lav orviciAi wtacc.ass.> RUGBY, November 12. The heads of the delegations to the Imperial Conference continued their consideration of the economic aspeots of tho inter-Imperial relations this afternoon, and adjourned until to-mor-row morning, when they hope to conclude the discussion on the economic questions, including the suggestions for quotas, the Import Board and bulk purchase, which were put forward as possible alternatives to Imperial preference by means of tariffs. In the afternoon they will continue the discussion on foreign affairs begun yesterday. That will be the last meeting which Genera] Hertzog will attend, for proposes to sail for South Africa on Friday. He will be represented at the final plenary session'of the Conference, which has been fixed provisionally for Friday morning.