The Dominion. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1937. AN IMPERIAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 148, 19 March 1937, Page 8

The Dominion. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1937. AN IMPERIAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL

Lord Bledisloe's suggestion lor an Imperial Economic Gouncvl appears to have made a favourable impression in the House of Loids. and Lord Templemore, for the Government, has undertaken to hung the matter before Cabinet. As stated to-day Lord Bledisloe s proposal envisions a body consisting of the representatives of industrial and agricultural production, which would see that a balance was maintained between British supplies to the Empire and Empire supplies to Britain. The idea bears a family resemblance to the Imperial Economic Committee. appointed in 1924. which is still in existence, and functioning, and it may be wondered whether the objects sought to be attained by the new plan could not as effectively be secured by an extension of the functions of the old. The principle of economic co-operation was endorsed by the Imperial Conference of 1923 and agreement as to the terms of reference of the suggested Imperial Economic Committee reached the following year, when it was constituted for the purpose of “considering the possibility of improving the -methods of preparing for market and marketing the food products of the overseas parts of the Empire with a view to increasing the consumption of such products in the United Kingdom in preference to imports from foreign countlies and to promote the interests both of producer and consumer. ’ A fund of £1,000.000 was made available and the new committee was asked to advise on expenditure. The first meeting was held in Mat ch,1.25, and by the time the next Imperial Conference assembled had issued four reports. The work was endorsed by the Conference, which authorised its continuance till the next Imperial assembly, and incidentally widened its scope. While completing the series of investigations into the marketing of Empire foodstuffs in Great Britain, the committee was asked to submit for the consideration of the various Governments concerned (a) a list of raw materials for possible further marketing inquiries, and (b) suggestions for the preparation anil circulation of brief preliminary surveys, as suggested by the general economic sub-committee of the Conference, of any branch of Empire trade and marketing, such surveys, if the Governments concerned so desired, to be followed up by further inquiries. The committee consists of a chairman and representatives nominated by the various Governments of the Empire: four by the United Kingdom, two by each Dominion, two by India, one by Southern Rhodesia, and two by the Secretary of State for the Colonies.. Apart from a series of valuable reports circulated from time to time, the most important creation of the committee was the Empire Marketing Board, which throughout its existence, which terminated in September, 1933, did extremely good work, so good, in fact, that its demise through lack of support from the Dominions was greatly regretted. An assurance was given by the British Government that this body would be reconstituted if at any time the Dominions expressed a desire for its revival. Lord Bledisloe's proposal provides an opportunity for reviewing the whole question of economic co-opcration on the broader lines suggested by him, but bearing in mind the apathy of the Dominions in connection with the Marketing Board it would seem that some missionary work will be required to reanimate interest in the question. The idea is one that should appeal to the New Zealand Minister of Marketing, now in London. Lord Bledisloe no doubt has taken ati opportunity of discussing it with Mr. Nash, and the impending Imperial Conference provides a timely opportunity for bringing it under the general notice of the representatives of the various Dominions. The machinery for the work is ready to hand. Al! that is required is any extension of its functions necessary to bring it into line with Lord Bledisloe’s ideas, and a new spirit of enthusiasm.