NEW EMPIRE TRADE POLICY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 52, 25 November 1929, Page 11

NEW EMPIRE TRADE POLICY

TASK FOR CONSERVATIVES IMPORTANCE STRESSED BY MR. BALDWIN (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Rec. November 24, 11 p.m.) London, November 23. Mr. Stanley Baldwin gave a rousing address to 6000 Conservatives in the Albert Hall regarding employment. He pointed out that the only expanding markets in the world were in the Empire, and announced amid applause that his colleagues and himself accepted the resolution passed at the Conservative Conference on the subject of Imperial trade. There was talk of a United States of Europe, but Britain’s progress depended on her capacity to visualise the Empire as an eternal, and indestructible unit for production, consumption, distribution, and the maintenance and improvement of the lot of all dwelling therein. He owed a word of gratitude to Lord Beaverbrook for forwarding the idea of a united Empire. British business men recently issued a manifesto bringing before the people another aspect of the many-sided question of Empire unity. The meeting carried a resolution of unabated confidence in and enthusiastic support for Mr. Baldwin. (Rec. November 24, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 23. Attention is attracted to a passage in Mr. Stanley Baldwin’s recent speech to the Conservatives, In which he said that in framing an Empire policy to which the Conservative leaders must devote themselves it was essential they should take the youth of the party into their councils. “A generation may be needed to effect the unity of which we draw the burden,” said Mr. Baldwin. “The fight may well lie on the shoulders of the young.” Outlook Revolutionised. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Parliamentary Correspondent learns that the inquiry indicated by Mr. Baldwin will be thorough and systematic. It is hoped it will be possible to frame a policy in detail which will avoid the stale theories of twenty years ago and take full account of modern conditions. The correspondent learns that Mr. Baldwin and his colleagues express the opinion that Empire development must inevitably be linked up with the question of employment here. It is pointed out that matters connected with the expansion of Empire trade must be the outcome of consultation so far as the Dominions are concerned, but Britain has a free hand in the colonies and protectorates which might be organised to produce the raw materials required without going outside the Empire to the extent necessary to-day. The fact that the Empire Is now self-supporting is regarded in Conservative quarters as having revolutionised the outlook. It is considered the time is ripe for a thorough re-examination of all the possibilities of Empire trade. Mr. Baldwin at present merely foreshadowed the production of a complete policy in due course. Conservative circles express the hope that the question will now be kept in the forefront of all platforms.