UNDECIDED STILL

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 32, 1 November 1930, Page 11

UNDECIDED STILL

Principle of Preferences ■ —■ 4 BRITISH CABINET Failure to Agree A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. October 31, 9.40 p.m.) London, October 30. The “Morning Post’s” special correspondent understands that Cabinet has failed again to agree either to accept or reject the principle of preferences. It is even divided respecting the merits and practicability of the quota scheme as advanced by the British Delegation. Reviewing Mr. MacDonald’s report on the Imperial Conference in the House of Commons on Tuesday, "The Times” declares that the Government has taken a heavy responsibility in turning down the tariff as the simplest and most effective way of achieving economic co-operation. If the Conference proves barren in results, the blame will be the Government’s alone.

“The Times” concludes by emphasising the necessity for a continuity in method and action, advocating an Economic Secretariat for the Empire quite free from the domination of Whitehall.

[Mr. MacDonald said that two things had emerged from the Conference. One was that Empire Free Trade was an absolute fraud. The second was that the only tariff Great Britain could impose that was worth anything to the Dominions in exchange for allowing a wider field for preferences was a tariff on food. He added: “You can ask them: ‘How can I help you to get more of your products into our markets?’ and the very first thing every Prime Minister says is: ‘Tax wheat.’ We cannot do it. There were other ways than that of tariffs of helping the Dominions’ trade and these would be carefully explored.]

QUOTA FOR WHEAT

Agreement Reported

London, October 30.

It is learned that the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and Canada have reached an agreement definitely adopting the quota for the Empire’s future exports of wheat to Britain. It is understood that it will be on the basis of the three above-mefitioned countries supplying 55 per cent, of Britain’s annual requirements. ,

ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION

Mr. Scullin Hopeful

British Wireless. Rugby, October 30. Mr. J. H. Scullin, Australian Prime Minister, in a broadcast address last night, anticipated that before the close of the Imperial Conference they would at least have planned a course which would bring Great Britain and the Dominions to a common goal of greater co-operation in economic affairs.

COMMITTEES’ REPORTS

To be Considered by Heads

British Wireless. Rugby, October 30. The heads of the delegations to the Imperial Conference will meet to-mor-row to receive and consider such reports as have been completed by the committees entrusted with a detailed examination of the questions on the agenda. . . Inter-Imperial constitutional questions were referred to a committee under the Lord Chancellor, Lord Sankey, and its drafting committee to-day presented draft reports - on various aspects of its work. The completed part of the draft report constitutes a lengthy and highly technical document and includes sections dealing with the operation of Dominion legislation, the nationality question, channels of communication to be used between his Majesty’s Govern*ment in the Dominions and foreign Governments, and questions affecting the position of the Governor-General. The Sankey Committee has decided to request further time before the final report is sent on to the heads of delegations. _ _ . , The Committee on Inter-Imperia Economic Co-operation to-day approved reports of sub-committees which have been examining the possibility of employing methods alternative to a tariff, such as the quota, bulk purchase, import boards,, and the extension of the work of the Empire Marketing Board to specific commodities —canned fruit, canned fish, fresh fruit and dairy produce. The committee is now engaged on its general report to the heads. Report on Migration. The Overseas Settlement Committee has completed its report, which reviews the whole problem of State-assisted migration within the Empire. The organisations set up both in the Dominions and in Britain, and the measures taken to ensure that settlement of migrants is of advantage to themselves and to the countries in which they settle have been closely examined. These include assisted passages with assured employment schemes, such as the 3000 families scheme in Canada, a similar and more recent scheme in New Brunswick, schemes to encourage juvenile settlers and various schemes for training intending overseas settlers in England. There are three of these large training centres in existence, in addition to five hostels for _ young women and eight for boys. This elaborate system has been reviewed and the committee has completed a report in which its views are expressed as to the wisdom of keeping the machinery going to full pressure in view of the present economic conditions throughout the Empire.

VISIT TO FLEET

Gathering of Sixty Warships

British Wireless. Rugby, October 30. The Imperial Conference delegates will visit the fleet area on Saturday.' They will embark at Weymouth to see " a gathering of sixty war vessels of all types, for which a comprehensive programme has been prepared to give the guests an opportunity of seeing the characteristics of each class. The occasion will also have an historic interest, as some ships which will be present, such as the Iron Duke, Admiral Jellicoe’a flagship at Jutland, are

due to pass out of service before long under the London Naval Treaty, which will become operative on Monday.

MR. FORBES’S MOVEMENTS

_ _ London. October 30. Air. Forbes to-day lunched with Mr. MacDonald at Downing Street. On Sunday he will go to East Mailing to inspect the British Government’s fruit research farm.

RUSSIAN WHEAT

No Power to Restrict Imports

London, October 30. In the House of Commons, in answer to a question, Mr. G. M. Gillett, Undersecretary for Overseas Trade, said that the. Government had no power to prohibit or restrict the importation of Russian wheat, and did not contemplate taking such powwt,