TEST OF UNITY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20610, 28 July 1932, Page 9

TEST OF UNITY.

CONDITIONS AT OTTAWA. initial obstacles SUGGESTED. ASSERT HARMONY fjlias ASSOCIATION—r.r ELECTEIC ygtf GftZ.rU —C'QI'VIUGUT.) J u '. v -'t-i'i r- n! -) OTTAWA, July 20. influential ".Montreal Gazette/' -MBBeatiflg editorially on its Ottawa *oopon<k»l'>i dispatch, kivs: "The ftafeiesee at tin: very outset reached a gjtictl stage. Responsible corresponded sre naturally and properly paintjga picture in the softest colours, but gis looming evident that if Ottawa ,io overcome the obstacles already cnjmatercd some of the view points exmust undergo a radical modifieagy. If tho complications which have gjus are a* formidable as some jgpltb the co-operative spirit certain to undergo a much more gfgß teit than was contemplated when jln(Vinfarflnce opened. The uncertainty fjid) surrounds the attitude of the appears to be hamperConference and is creating a jgg&M for wliieU tho word 'critical' too strong." 11 fhe delegations consider that the fgtfUig is f ar from the facts. The Is getting to grips with vital jujufgl giid is in perfect harmony. Canada's Programme, authoritative survey of Canada's ■mmum tot the Imperial Conference, jigging which the utmost optimism pjta, Indicates that she is in an pgglnst position to make a fair deal Britain, balancing the con\pt6m given with grants Received, and newspapers are straying from .Ihsllßth in hinting that Canada is not s&g the Conference with a united tt&B. Bennett (Prime Minister) is ftSMffcly gratified with the progress and docs not contemplate tho jMnbiiity of failure. Ouuda's position regarding wheat is nt yet finalised. The farmers, followthe action of their Wheat Pool in jfcd&g stocks in 1029, with disastrous ttHM, fctvo consistently urged preferiwe ptes quota against foreign wheat, ifldi #OW appears to have been a last- : SBHie change in the farmers' attitude, [ltflfiSf them into line with Austraviews, although tlicy are definitely !ltt Udseneed by the Australians here, fta fanners realise that in view of 4e fact tint Canada and Australia proIns double the quantity of wheat Great ttfatin imports, it is almost impossible if deriso a helpful scheme. Mr Benlett, however, has pledged himself to BPport the Canadian farmers, and will <3l discuss with the Conference i rkether Caasd'mn wheat can be asMrted. Sevnrt&eless tho most likely ftawl iittetCknada will be content §P By i fewigtf with Australia, urging Iwjf tto show a more favourable PBttSMty attitude to Canadian and ggwHw ttan to Russian wheat. IPjWft fo «I*o vitally interested, like HjWMj »■ protecting her timber ajaiiibt Russian dumping, ■Mr as the recent United States HHBRVe aggravated the slump in HHMitin lumber industry. United HHNMWspapors predict tliat as a BBMpan Ottawa arrangement Can■PggJwdueo her anthracito coal pur■Mlfmn the United States by 25 H|h Mder u plan whereby Canada Ml to extend Jier timber market ■gl Britain, in exchange for purHK larger quantities of British jljto in 1031 imported 2,003,000 ttjftuftraeite, of which the United BgMPfUcd 1,966,000 and Great BriI~ an Concessions. further interested in and, to a lesser degree, sho cannot eompeto with id Australia for quality. >peratod during tho past the Empire butter prore. likely to be conceded mended form, although ion has been postponed tge, when the bargaining saga of commiditics has filiated. Copper and yet been discussed, tiderable speculation as (the oncessions Canada tish manufacturers. In:ance is attached to Mr ■ing statement: "Those tries in the world's marpport adjustments with because of the great adnablo for exporters erf duets," Mr Bennett has id as Canada's strong iew of this unequivocal is expected that he will incing tho secondary in■bey must be satisfied measure protection, an newspaper comment ea the British delegaBtwcen Free Trade and reas the fundamental obi»ferencc is to readjust hey describe Mr Walter flident of the Board of n ardent Free Trader, f Baldwin us leaning in while Mr Neville Chaml Chancellor of the Ex>ken of as a "stalwart is illustrious father's delegation resents the at thi? team work at Tilled by the former inof the delegates, who i national outlook, or rc outlook, which frankly > position is hopeless unto agree on a policy of less. wa dispatch regarded retho Britishers, says:— >at Britain has not yet «nd, she is expected to > to go as far as Canada erving, if not heightenI against foreigners, parBited States. Canada is because it is believed tain is averse from lespurchases in Russia, tho Denmark. This attitude Hi stumbling block to tho On the highest authority II delegation has not yet decision on any of lestions coming before Y Committee met ami K» H. Stevens (Canada) was decided that all the

delegation leaders should on Thursdav review the present currency and exchange position of the respectivo countries subsequently referring the questions to special sub-committees for preliminary examination. ! The Meat Committee held its first j meeting and discussed the world situation. Case for the Dominions. The Dominion representatives to-day unanimously agreed upon a joint case regarding the meat proposals which will lie presented to Mr Neville Chamberlain (British Chancellor of the Exchequer) and Sir John Gilmour (Minister for Agriculture) to-morrow by the Ministers of the-countries concerned, namely, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia, and the Irish Free State. This represents unexpectedly rapid progress following upon a speedy agreement on butter. The delegates liad been prepared for at least a week's discussion 011 either subject before Empire unity was achieved. Mr Stanley Bruce (Australia) presided at the'meeting of meat representatives of all the Dominions. The question whether British meat and agricul tural interests should be represented had been discussed, in view of the great importance to British farmers and meat producers of any control of imported meat. It was decided, however, that the Englishmen should not bo invited, because that would possibly have embarrassed the British Government when eventually reaching a decision. The proposals cabled from Suva formed the basis of the discussion. Canada indicated tlmt she was interested in bacon and cattle on the hoof. Canada is the only Dominion able to send mild-cured bacon to Great Britain because the problem of carrying across the tropics has not been solved. Australia, however, is keenly interested in raising bacon prices from the present 55s to 75s to SOs. She could then export frozen pig carcases at a profitable price, enabling the British curing factories to recommence operations. Australia and New Zealand are the only Dominions vitally interested in mutton and lamb. Australia's greatest interest is in beef, aiul South Africa's new and extraordinarily keen interest in beef is the outstanding feature. Australia has been lengthily in communication with British agricultural interests, recognising in them a strong ally, inasmuch as they*'supply half of Great Britan's beef requirements, and also substantial proportions of bacou and lamb. They are closely following the possibility of a quota upon foreigu importations. There is no foundation for the report published in the ''New York Times" that Great Britaiu had rejected Mr Bruce's and Mr Bennett's plea for an embargo on Russian dumping. Circat Britain has given no major decision on any question. The Conference's negotiations throughout have been frank and friendly, and there arc no dissensions, although naturally some differences of opinion. Currency Problem. Mr Neville Chamberlain proposed, and Mr Stanley Bruce seconded, tho appointment of Mr 11. H. Stevens (Canadian Minister for Customs) as chairman of the Currency Committee. Mr Bruce and Mr W. Downic Stewart, respectively, have been entrusted with the preparation of a survey of tho Australian and New Zealand currency and exchange problems. Fruit comes up for consideration tomorrow, Mr N. C. Havenga (South Africa) presiding over the inter-Domin-ion Fruit Committee. The No. 1 Committee preliminarily considered the subject of Empire content concerning either labour or materials and referred the matter to a subcommittee for further examination. Tlio comparative advantages of a high Empire content, with exceptions upward, were examined by the No. 1 Committee, which decided to adjourn while tho subcommittee's work and informal negotiations are proceeding. Tho object is to obtain unanimity as to simplicity of eontont and an arrangement for Empire countries. At present Britain requires generally 25 per cent, of Empire content, Canada 50 per cenr., Australia 75 per cent., New Zealand 50 per cent.. South Africa and tho Irish Free State 25 per cent., all with the exception of certain articles. Mr 11. S. Gullett (Australia) and Mr W. Downie Stewart to-day continued deliberations with British Ministers, outlining tho scope of possible Australian and New Zealand concessions.

DUTY ON SUGAR. OBJECTION TO EXISTING ARRANGEMENT. (Received July 27th, 7 p.m.) OTTAWA', July 27. The sugar question will shortly be discussed. There is a unanimous feeling among Empire producers, both Dominion and Colonial, that tho differentiation by which Colonial sugar receives 20s a ton more than the Dominions in the British market should bo abolished, giving equality. The West Indies, Mauritius, and Fiji agree that the present airangement is unsatisfactory. Australia and Soutii Africa are the onlv Dominions concerned. DINNER AT CHATEAU LAURIER. MR BENNETT ENTERTAINED. (Received July 27th, 7 p.m.) OTTAWA, July 20. Ministers entertained Mr R. B. Bennett at a dinner at the Chateau Laurier, and informally discussed a wide range of subjects. The delegates at midnight attended a private soroeni?/g of a talkie film of the opening ol the Conference. Tho audience was amused at the technical error of the announcer, who said tl at Mr Bruce would speak next while the camera was focused on Mr Coates addressing the Chamber. Australia was completely censored.

MR STANLEY BRUCE. A CANADIAN VIEW. VANCOUVER, July 20. The Ottawa correspondent of the "Vancouver Province" calls Mr S. M. Bruco "tho handsomest man at the Conference." "He is a i all, line-featured iellow," tho correspondent writes. "Immaculately groomed, ho must be tempted at times to gaze into a full-sized mirror to encounter a grandiose vision of himself. "Ho is alert, admirably spoken, and seems to wish to be helpful, but surrounds himself with the safeguards of conventional caution."