TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21906, 6 October 1936, Page 10

TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE

LONG DISCUSSION BY CONGRESS

OTTAWA AGREEMENTS

MARKETING OF DOMINIONS’ - PRIMARY PRODUCE

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TBUEOBAM.)

WELLINGTON. October 5. The congress of the Chambers o Commerce of the British Empire day dealt with trade withm the Emttire* An amalgamation of resolutions was moved by Mr Granville Gibson (London). While welcoming and approving thp Ottawa agreements, he maintained and quoted cases to show that tney were working to the disadvantage England, and must b that review he insisted th at business interests must be represented not.pushed aside as they were when the agreements were made. fuey could not wait for readjustments in all cases, and the governments oftne Empire should consider ceitam cases submitted stated that the ideal to which the policy of Imperial economic co-operation directed is that each partner should extend to the others all the tages that can be offered at a given moment without detriment to the vital requirements of its domestic si tuation. Mr Russell (Sydney), m seconding the motion, made out a the primary produce of the Dommio being given unlimited entry to Bn t3 |rhis was part of the resolution moved by Mr Granville Gibson, who had explained, however, t h ath e ba£ not arrived when the resolutions wer grouped. He . was to this part, and moved the resolution with that reservation. The, proposal was utterly opposed to the British Government’s policy, as enunciated by .the Minister for .agriculture (Mr Walter Elliot) Sir' Albert Atkey (Britain) moved the deletion of the paragraph, adding to the reasons given by Mr Gibson further reasons, among which were Britain’s foreign loans and trade interests. He said that the Dominions themselves benefited, as it were, once removed from Briain’s trade with foreign countries. because Britain used the Dominion’s products in such trading. Mr J. A- Aiton seconded Sir Albert Atkey’s motion. Mr Corke (Sydney) suggested an alteration, which was accepted, making the provision read: “Minimising, as far as. possible, the imoosition ot restrictions on the importation into the United Kingdom of Dominion primary products.” This cut out the suggestion of elimination of restrictions, and also the reference to foreign countries Mr Gibson intimated glad acceptance Of this clause, saying he appreciated the Australians’ generosity. Resolution Amended ,

The congress proceeded to deal with the resolution. With the clause so amended, the resolution, while wholeheartedly supporting the principles of economic co-operation underlying the Ottawa agreements, set forth certain courses to be urged on his Majesty’s Governments in giving practical effect to that principle. These included agreements negotiated bilaterally rather than through another Imperial economic conference, such bilateral agreements to ensure specific tariff treatment to a selectld list of commodities, rather than relying for advantage to the contracting parties on the application of vague general principles. Other provisions included ensuring to the United Kingdom the carrying out of a reasonable agricultural policy, and affording the Dominions an opportunity to develop to a reasonable extent their secondary industries, and generally bringing about closer co-operation in Empire trade.

A great variance' of view was revealed in a long debate, and nutch of the afternoon was Spent in listening, to a Variety of trade figures, both general and particular, as to the existing position between Britain and the various parts of the Empire, and the world. Much of the discussion also centred on secondary industries, especially as regards Australia. Mr Bury (Newcastle, New South Wales) expressed the view that the agricultural policy of Britain was not only not in the interests of Britain herself, but also was one of the most disruptive forces in the Empire. The resolution w&s carried, with two dissentients.

A resolution was carried strongly recommending the Governments of Britain and the Dominions that at the time of reviewing the Ottawa trade agreements they should invite the cooperation of expert advisers, who should be representative of the primary and secondary industries and chambers of commerce, Another resolution was carried strongly advocating an interchange of Ministerial visits before the bilateral agreements which had been suggested were concluded.