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CONSIDERATION URGENT

DAI^JER OF FURTHER DELAY DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. 'UNITE* PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTRWIT.) {AUSTRALIAN . KBW ZBALAND CABli ASSOCIATION.) (Received 12th April, 9 a.m.) LONDON. 10th April. In the House of Commons, in Committee of Supply, Viscount Ednam (C) • moved a resolution, asking the Government to take immediate steps to secure the fullest extension of trade within the Empire in co-operation with the overseas authorities. He said that great harm was being done to the Empire bv continued delay in dealing with Empire trade. The^ time for pious resolutions at the Imperial conferences, which had not been actad upon, had ffqne by. The Empire could be made entirely self-sufficient in foodstuffs and raw materiad with a eurplus for export. They would be criminal, if they did not ensure the Empire's future after the lessons of the war. CUBE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. Sir Philip Lloyd-Graeme, President of the Board of Trade, in replying, expressed his approval of the motion, which embodied the very objects of the forthcoming economic conference. The i deficit in export trade had been reduced I from 35. per cent, .at the beginning of 1922 to 20 per cent. If we were to cure unemployment, wo must not only wipe out the deficit, but add something more, and that could nowhere be so well done as within the Empire. In the nresent economic condition, he said, America was findins it difficult to do an export ■ trade. This was a vital moment when our merchants should find a way into markets where American competition had been keenest. With a closer study of the conditions of the Do.tninions' markets, we could creatly increase'the amount of trade with them. They would take up at the Imperial Conference , the whole question of cooperation with the Dominions and State Governments in the Dominions, and also consider the possibilities of extending preference. LABOUR POINTS TO RUSSIA. Mr. A. Short (Lab.) wondered,to what extent the pockets of the taxpayers - would bear the cost of the schemes foreshadowed bv Sir Philip Lloyd-Graeme. The Labour Party generally supported the motion, because they were interested in the procress and development of the Empire, as much ae any other section of the House. He urged the Government to re-open and oomplete diplomatic relations with Russia. Cutting off 130 mil'ions of people could not be -to the mutual advantage of either country. Commander Wedgwood (Lab.) did'not believe tbat~4he unemployment problem I "vould be solved by migrating people to I the various parts <of the Empire. The solution lay at home in getting the I people back to the land. ! PLEA FOR EMIGRATION. Dr. Chappie, from the Liberal benches, made a spirited plea for emigration, vigorously dismissing the Labour Party's objections to this policy. Mr. Ormsby Gore, Colonial Undersecretary .replying to the- debate, repudi- , ated the idea that the Empire Settlement Act had been put forward as a solution for unemployment. It was a partnership arrangement designed, to.. ens,ure, j.hat people went to the Dominions under the most humane and favourable conditions. The Imperial Economic Conference was being summoned primarily to discuss how far migration could be improved and various forms of assistance be given to trade with the Dominions. The motion was negatived without a

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19230412.2.37.1

Bibliographic details

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 87, 12 April 1923, Page 7

Word Count
534

CONSIDERATION URGENT Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 87, 12 April 1923, Page 7

CONSIDERATION URGENT Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 87, 12 April 1923, Page 7