The Dominion. TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1934. IMPERIAL ECONOMICS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 188, 8 May 1934, Page 8

The Dominion. TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1934. IMPERIAL ECONOMICS

Mr. Stanley Bruce’s explanation of .the marketing situation at Home should help to reassure those in New Zealand who do not quite know what to make of quotas. ‘‘Co-operation with Great Britain presents the logical solution to our difficulties,” he says. _ “We need not fear the consequences. . . . The expansion of British agriculture cannot go beyond certain well-defined limits.” But the alternative to co-operation is not to have our own way. Mr. Bruce is emphatic when he adds that regulation has come. If the Dominions co-operate, the Motherland is disposed to treat them generously once she has provided for her own farmers. If they do not co-operate they wib harm only themselves. Some of the reasons why “we need not fear the consequences are indicated in a .cable message this morning. Although it is definite Government policy at Home to help the farmer, some of his colleagues in the Cabinet are not prepared to go as far in that direction as Mr.. Elliot. Mr. Walter Runciman and Mr. Baldwin, it is said, arc for the development of world trade, and Mr. Thomas is becoming irritated by Dominions’ protests* and questionings. A cleavage is reported to be developing between industrial and agricultural interests in England. These may be exaggerated readings, of the signs, and in any case do not portend a reversal of declared policy. Nevertheless they suggest that a planned economy for the United Kingdom cannot for long deviate far from the path of her established development. Primarily. England is a manufacturing and exporting country. She has built her wealth from trade and the services that accompany trade. In the doing she has neglected her agriculture. Now that neglect is being repaired. . Common fairness and the common sense of balanced grdwth demand that it should be repaired. But no more. England is not putting the clock .back a hundred years and setting herself to be essentially a farming country, as New Zealand is. Presently balance will be restored. Then the permanent result of Mr.Ellidt’s enthusiasm and driving power will-be seen, probably, in a permanently improved farming strength, and in the orderly and harmonious advance of. fafltn and factory. This does not mean that the Dominions and foreign suppliers will be free to pour unlimited cargoes of foodstuffs... into England. It does mean that the restrictions placed upon overseas members of the Imperial family will be no more than is necessary to do justice to British farming. The restrictions to be placed upon foreign countries will be a matter then for Imperial consultation. Jt becomes increasingly important, therefore, that the British Dominions should make an effort’to bring themselves mentally into line with the Motherland, and that a frank ..and free atmosphere of family discussion should be encouraged in the economic parleys that will mark the expiry or near approach to expiry of the Ottawa agreements. Mr, Bruce does not see any necessity for a special Imperial Conference.. Nor does anyone else who has studied the position: a conference would be too formal and too public, even with all its meetings held in camera. Much better that each of the Dominions concerned should be represented in London by a tried and trusted High Commissioner and that discussions should be informal and unhurried. New Zealand / and Australia are fortunate to have, in Sir James Parr and Mr. Bruce, two such representatives, each lately gone from his home shores and fully informed of home sentiment. ■ ■