EMPIRE CRISIS SUGGESTED.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20919, 28 July 1933, Page 11

EMPIRE CRISIS SUGGESTED.

LABOUR NEWSPAPER'S STATEMENT. CLASH OF DOMINIONS WITH BRITAIN. I (UXITKD IRZS3 ASSOCIATION TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) j (Received July 27, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, July 27. The "Daily Herald," dealing with the talks now being held between members of the Dominions delegations and British Ministers, alleges that "something very like a serious Empire crisis is developing." It says: "The British Ministers are accusing the Dominions of acting in a disloyal spirit, while the Dominion Ministers are hotly resenting the suggestion that they should subordinate their own economic interests to those of Great Britain. "Bickerings over tariff policy, and a divergence of views on monetary policy, have produced the most dangerous strain on relations within the Empire that there has been since the American declaration of independence. Mr J. H. Thomas will try to gloss it over to-day but the crisis will remain." I BRITISH DESIRE FOR RESTRICTIONS. APPLES NOW INCLUDED. EMPIRE DISCUSSIONS TO CONTINUE. LONDON, July 26. It is understood that the British Empire talks will continue for a few days after the conclusion of the World Economic Conference. Australia and New Zealand have been asked to consider the reduction of their shipments of meat and apples, as well as dairy produce. Mr Neville Chamberlain's declaration on Empire monetary policy in the House of Commons will probably result in conversations with Mr R. B. Bennett (Canada), Mr S. M. Bruce (Australia), General Jan Smuts (South Africa), and Mr Forbes. The Australian Press Association learns that the talks have been marked by outspoken exchanges concerning the implementing of the Ottawa agreements, and criticisms of the Dominions. It is revealed by questions in the House of Commons that Mr W. E. Elliot (British Minister of Agriculture) brought strong pressure to bear on the Australian and New Zealand Ministers in favour of limitations of their exports of dairy products. Mr Masters is specially interviewing Mr Elliot on the subject to-day. It is understood that the Australian j and New Zealand Ministers are

Strongly resisting the restriction proposals, insisting that the Empire trade figures justify their demand that the reduction should be first more drastically applied to foreign supplies. RETALIATIONS AGAINST FREE STATE. I NEWSPAPER'S SUGGESTION. LONDON, July 26. The "Daily Mail" says: "The Government should immediately retaliate for Mr E. de Valera's bounty of 50 to 80 shillings a hundredweight on Free State butter, which has 'resulted in the swamping of the British market and the depressing of prices to ruinous levels. Instead the Government is seeking to persuade Australia and New Zealand to reduce their exports to Great Britain and accept a lower quota, thereby penalising loyal and friendly Dominions, which is grossly uryust. "Great Britain desires the friendship of Ireland, but is bound to defend British agriculture, and cannot overlook the constant hostility of the Free State rulers."