OTTAWA PREFERENCE SYSTEM

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24591, 13 June 1945, Page 7

OTTAWA PREFERENCE SYSTEM

"Cooling of Dominions' Enthusiasm" FUTURE OF EMPIRE TRADE OiZ. Freu Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, June 12. "A cooling off of the old enthusiasm for the Ottawa system of imperial preference is perceptible and sometimes marked in the Dominions," said Professor A. G. B. Fisher, Price Professor of International Affairs at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, in a speech at a meeting organised by the Liberal Party. (Professor Fisher, who was bom in Christchurch, was professor of economics at the University of Otago from 1924 to 1935.) Professor Fisher was examining "the probable effect on Dominion relations of Britain's decision to reorientate her commercial policy in the direction of free trade." He expressed the opinion that Britain, in hammering out a satisfactory policy, need no longer worry lest the suggestion that "Ottawa should go" would encounter uncompromising opposition from the Dominions. "There can be little serious question," he said, "that if we take as a starting point the natural and proper desire to maintain and strengthen the'happy relations which at present unite Britain and the Dominions, we should find ourselves obliged to regard the construction of a freer, more open, and liberal ipte*» national economy as a primary purpose of British policy."

The war had introduced a number of new factors in the Dominion** economies, he said. Great expansion had taken place, especially in Australia, India, and South Africa. Ifce war had also strongly impressed on a* Dominions the freat importance of tha maintenance of gooa relations vmk the United States. J. The dilemma of the future was most forcefully put by Australia. AujMhO» was stated to be eager for the achieve* ment of a trustworthy security ays* tem in which she could develop •with, . a rising standard of living. If under the security scheme there were economic collaboration of the type «st» visaged by the Atlantic Charter, Jm* perial preference would seem out* moded and unnecessary in a wider and expanding world economy, « , these hopes were disappointed, Aus- . tralia would feel obliged to msks de>, fence an overriding consideration spa seek to build an economy based ear strategic considerations. On either hypothesis the outlook, for unpens! preference was clearly unfavourable. "Canada's position is even clearer, said Professor Fisher *A injittU / lateral trading system is essential for Canada's economic future* Even flew* Zealand would be concerned tsdtk the view that she could not expect Jacm« nite expansion of her traditional 3MP> ket uvßrltain. 0 Professor fisher emphasised that big argument did. not assume tint all fee Ottawa advantages would be Hghtljr cast away by the Dominions, but M expressed the opinion tint §ny mm; pro quo offered by Britain would «*\ carefully weighed and examined by the Dominions, which had proved themselves hard bargainers. REVIVED "EMPIRE CRUSADE" LORD BBAVEEBEQQK*^ IMPORTANCE TO WMB8& TRjffi& (Rec. l v pan,) London, jum IV. Lord Beaverbrook, In -a speech, announced the rebirth of hjs TBnejre crusade" Be added-that« nucleus of the revived body would be formed tm» mediately. Y "We roust build up forthwith agsJnst " all opponents of the Empire, be said* "We know the strength and power of the Empire. We know bow much thV~ Empire has done for t») «o4 how much,. the Empire Crusade has done for the Empire since it was tanned in 19ML" - . Britain bad relied, on the Empire trade for the sustenance of.her economic system from 1831 to 193% mi. Empire markets bad sustained Brltato when foreign markets had failed and dwindled in comparison. If tke Empire were to sit at the top table among the world Powers its policy must bo Empire-minded, said Lord Beaver* brook. NORTHERN IRELAND'S ELECTION ' POLLING DAY TO-MORROW (Rec. 12.30 «um.) LONDON, June li ( The General Electipn ig Northern Ireland will take place on Thursday, I but the results will pot be known for nearly a month. - ' At the dissolution of the old Blouse of Commons, the Unionists held 37 seats of the 52. The remainder were divided among six -other groups, of which the Nationalists, with five seats, were the strongest Thirteen Unionists, six Nationalists; and one Independent Unionist .have * been returned unopposed. The Prima Minister (Sir BasUJßrooke) is the only Minister not opposed.