THE DOMINIONS DEBATE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21506, 22 June 1935, Page 15

THE DOMINIONS DEBATE

LITTLE INTEREST IN COMMONS EFFECTS OF OTTAWA PRAISED MR THOMAS ON EMPIRE DUTIES (UNITED PIIE3S ASSOCIHTIOIf —JIT ELEC'TIUC TELEGRAM!- COPYRIGHT.) (Received June 21, 7.5 p.m.) LONiDON, June 20.

Although the debate on the Dominions Office vote was regarded as important, barely 80 of the 615 members were present in the House of Commons when Mr J. H. Thomas (Dominions Secretary) rose to deliver the opening 'speech. Only half a dozen Labour men were in their seats. Jt was most apparent that the House is only mildly interested in Dominion affairs. Mr Thomas naid the Statute of Westminster had created an entirely new situation in the relationship between the Mother Country and the Dominions. Hn short, each Dominion had absolute freedom to determine its own. destiny.

The reccot jubilee celebrations formed the best indication of the family spirit and the sense of unity of the British Empire. The presence in London of so many representative Dominion statesmen gave them the opportunity to discuss the whole situation in regard to Imperial and foreign policy. In the discussions on foreign affairs and Imperial defence no attempt was made to ask any Prime Minister to bind his Government. All the Dominions svrnnathised with the policy of the United Kingdom Government, and declared that it must continue its efforts for peace, bearing always in mind the value of the League of Nations as an effective instrument to that end. On the question of defence the Dominions, again without a solitary exception, agreed that in view of the nresent stale of the Services. whi"h had arisen from the effort to set an examnle to the world in armaments reduction, it was an dutv to the nenole of Great, Britain, in view of their Imnerial nblifatiom <hnt the sf"Tr; to rooair the nation* 1 defences already announced should be undertaken. I

Increased Trade Referring to the Imperial economic position, Mr Thomas said the United Kingdom delegation at the Ottawa conference had said it must retain the right, first, to consider the interests of the people in Great Britain; second, that it wished to encourace and develop all parts of the Kmpire by giving preference; and third, but by no means last in importance, it must not be unmindful of the vital importance of its export trade with foreign countries. As indicative of the stimulus to Tmperi.il trade provided by the Ottawa decisions. Mr Thomas said Canada oxoorted to the United Kingdom gonflr, and produce worth £43.000.000 in 1932, and in 1934 f. f>0.000.000. an increase of 17 per cent. Australia in 1932 sent £40.000.000 worth, and in 1034

£50.000,000, an increase of C.7 per cent.

New Zealand sent gools worth £37.000,000 in 1932 and £40,500,000 in 1934. an increase of 9 p (i r cent. The United Kingdom exported to Canada in 1932 £17,000.000 worth of goods, and in 1934 £21000.000, an increase of 20 per cent. To Australia she exported in 1932 goods worth £20,500,000, and in 1934 £ 27,000.000.

To New Zealand in 1932 she sent goods worth £10,500.000, and in 1034 £11,500.000.

The figures for South Africa were even more significant. United Kingdom exports in 1932 we're £18.500,000. and in 1934 they had risen to £31.000,000. He claimed that these figures were a complete iustification of the Ottawa policy. Its best justification was that without exception every Dominion that was a party to the Ottawa agreements could at the present moment show a budget surplus and a certain tendency toward prosperity. The Meat Negotiations "It is only fair that the House and country should know the difficulties of the meat negotiations," said MiThomas. "First, there is the position of British agriculture. British farmers and agricultural labourers resent the importation of goods, wherever produced, when they are sold in the country of origin at above the prices for which they are sold here."

Notwithstanding Great Britain's increase in population during the last 25 years agricultural production had remained practically stationary. This could not be allowed to continue. As he had explained to the Dominion delegates, each Dominion had room for many millions more population. Other factors complicated the situTtion. Great Britain could not impose a levy without the consent of the Dominions, and there was the system of restrictions and embargo which had led to all manner of friction. Instead of the British Government having to find heavy subsidies the policy they were aiming at was to strive to find an agreement enabling a tariff to be applied, with substantial ' preference to the Dominions. Ministerial cheers and cries of "Three years too late."

Mr Thomas, continuing, said whatever policies were adopted three years ago the Government was entitled, if. experience showed a better way, to face the facts. It was on these lines that they were endeavouring to reach an agreement. It was useless the Dominions saying they must have free and unfettered entry to the British market, with a preference, unless they equally bore in mind that there was another part of the Ottawa agreement, called Article 10, providing that as far as possible, instead of prohibitive tariffs and meaningless preferences. British industry should have a fair chance of entering Dominion markets on a competitive basis. "I am pleased to announce that as far as it is possible to judge there is -every indication of our reaching an agreement' under that head." Mr W. Lunn (Labour), moving the reduction of the vote, said La-

bour was willing to co-operate in the development of the Empire as long as it was for the welfare of the people 'and not for the enrichment of individuals. Migration at present offered no opportunities.