EMPIRE TRADE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21334, 29 November 1934, Page 9

EMPIRE TRADE

Firm Foundation Of Ottawa ADVANTAGES TO BRITAIN EMPHASISED . (UHITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —BT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (Received November 28, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, November 28. Lieutenant-Colonel D. J. Colville, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Overseas Trade, replying to the debate in the House of Commons on the Liberal amendment to the ad-dress-in-reply, said: "Speaking as one who has been closely associated with all trade negotiations with foreign countries, and realising fully the limitations which the Ottawa agreement has imposed on Britain, I can say that she has not suffered from the first securing of a firm foundation for Imperial trade. "Our exports to the Dominions have increased by a total of £17,250,000 since 1932, which was the cause of the restoration of much employment, while our imports from the Dominions have increased by nearly £24,000,000. Thus it cannot be complained that the interests of the Empire have been damaged." The Government, in view of the failure of the World Economic Conference, had negotiated 30 trade agreements with foreign countries, and was now negotiating others.

The Liberal amendment, which attacked the Government's interference with private enterprise, was defeated by 358 votes to 25. CONFERENCE AT CANBERRA TOPICS FOR DISCISSION (Received November 29, 1.40 a.m.) CANBERRA, November 28. The conference between Commonwealth and Dominion Ministers continued to-day, but little is learned of the progress made. The Australian Minister for Customs (Mr T. W. White) arranged to discuss with' the New Zealand Ministers the reasons for New Zealand's increasing the selling age for locally manufactured wines from three to five years. It is also proposed to discuss with New Zealand representatives the proposal to establish an Agricultural Council for the orderly marketing of Australian produce. It is understood that another subject for consideration is a transTasman air service.