AGENDA FOR OTTAWA.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20572, 14 June 1932, Page 9

AGENDA FOR OTTAWA.

Pir ,FERENTIAL TARIFFS

OTTAWA, Juno '<)

A loading question on tlio agenda for the Ottawa Conferenco is the possibility of harmonising preferential tariffs throughout the Empire, and u so whether the rates should be uniform. The Conference will also be asked to explore the possibility of the present bilateral trade agreements between Canada Australia, New Zealand. and tlic West Indies being enlarged into a geneial policy of mutual preference, and if so on what conditions.

Another subject for discussion will bo the largo question whether any foreign country should receive from a Dominion Government a rate as low as the Imperial Preference rate, and, conversely if by treaty such rate is given to a foreign country, should it automatically be extended to other Dominions.

The currency question promises to loom largo, but with some prospect already of conflicting views, both on the merits of tlio question and also on tho principle which gives it prominence.

PREFERENTIAL DUTIES.

| AUSTRALIA'S OBJECT. TRESS ASSOCIATION T«LKGRAM.) WELLINGTON. June 13. A passenger by tho Monowai from Sydney to-dav was Mr It. W. Carrington. who will represent the Australian United Press at the Ottawa Conference. In an interview Mr Corriiiglon h-aid the Conference was expected to last four or five weeks and at its termination it was probable that tho Canadian Government would invito the delegates from tho various Dominions to tour beauty spots of the country. '"Tho general endeavour of tlio Australian delegation will be to secure preferential duties in Great Britain on all primary produce, and in return Great Britain will probably ask for preferential treatment of her manufactures," eaid Mr Carriugton. "Australian manufacturers are not likely to view with approval any attempt to reduce duties that will react detrimentally on their own home industries. The economic side of tho Conference dealing with the adjustment of war loans and debts should bo the most vital part of it." On arrival at Vancouver Mr Stanlev Bruce, tho leader of tho Australian delegation, will probably deliver an important policy speech.

NEW ZEALAND DELEGATES.

(riltai ASSOCIATION 'XZLEQBAM )

WELLINGTON, Juno 13

The opinion that New Zealand's delegation to Ottawa was a party of sellers was expressed by Mr Ernest Lewis, of Wellington, who returned by the Aorangi from England. Mr Lewis said that all other delegations were the same. Ho had not seen the name of a buyer connected with the Dominion's representation. Nobody seemed to have realised that it took a buyer and a seller to make a deal. If tlie Old Country did not sell her manufactured goods to the Dominions how could she buy raw materials from them?

SUPPORT NOT GIVEN

(FBZSS, ASSOCIATION TILEGBAK.)

DUNEDIN, June 13

At a meeting of the Executive and Imports Committee of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce this afternoon, it was decided that the Chamber could not see its way to support a proposal to send a representative of the importing interests of the Dominion to Ottawa. It was considered that the interests of importers would be sufficiently watched by the Minister for Customs, and that oxporters from the United Kingdom and other portions of the Empire would themselves bo represented at the Conference. Further, the Chamber bolioved that the flow of trade between the different parts of the Empire should bo as free as possible.