TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE

Evening Star, Issue 19388, 23 October 1926, Page 5

TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE WORK OF THE ECONOMIC COMMITTEE REVIEWED BY OFFICIALS Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 21. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister (President of the Board of Trade), addressing the Imperial Conference, reviewed the steps that had been taken to carry out the recommendations of the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923. Tho success of that conference, ho said, was to be discovered in the growth and present prospects of intcrimpenal trade. Tho overseas portions of tho Empire were taking an increasing proportion of British exports, and Britain was doing vice versa. “There will be special need to continue tho process during the next few years,” said Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister. “ While _ the effects of the war, with depreciated foreign currencies, continue to bo felt, tho more wo buy and sell withip the Empire, the easier it will be to maintain our own exchanges. Interempirc trade depends on Empire population, but it is equally true that the capacity to absorb population depends upon trade.” EMPIRE PREFERENCE. Detailing tho progress of the campaign to encourage tho consumption in Britain of Empire products, tho Minister said: “Tho British public was alive to the possibilities of Empire trade, and eager to buy British goods. The development of producers’ organisations and producers’ pools would improve tho standards of quality, grading, and packing, and also the regularity of supplies; but,” bo added, “ tho consumers will bo watchful, fearing an artificial increase in price, and also a policy aiming to hold up supplies. Buyers and sellers would bo assisted by a fuller disclosure of stocks.” Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister mentioned that tho British Government was preparing a census of production, and suggested that if this could_ bo extended throughout the Empire it would improve intorempire trading. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister pointed out that the Marketing Board’s grant of £1,000,000 was a substitute for the abortive preference proposals, and expressed the opinion that it would he more valuable in increasing the sales of Empire produce than the limited preferences for which the grhnt was substituted. Much had boon done to win the approval for preference ns a permnment feature of British tariff; “and,” ho added, “ it is rightly so, seeing that over £100,000,000 worth of British exports enjoy preference in various parts of the Empire.” _ The speaker said he ■would asked the conference to consider proposals for unifying the law respecting ship owners’ liability, shipping mortgages, tho immunity of State-owned ships, and the oil pollution of navigable waters. He would also call attention to the advisability of standardising the designs and specifications for macliiiiery, materials, and apparatus, instancing the caso of tho Office of Works, which had standardised Government furniture,_ and also tho fact that 132 public bodies in Britain bad 132 different sets' of specifications for police uniforms. He considered that the ultimate ideal would be Empiro-wido standards, which would greatly assist production and consumption. The Minister added that close attention should be given to the vast possibilities of advertising Empire goods through the cinema, from which America had admittedly derived enormous profit. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH. Mr L. S. Amcry (Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs), reviewing the operations of tho Imperial Economic Committee and the Empire Marketing Board, said ho was most impressed by tho progressively valuable reports of the Economic Committee, which had found its feet and w r as getting at the facts, and suggesting really substantial improvements in the marketing of Empire produce, including homegrown. His only positive conclusion was that it would be most desirable to empower the committee to plan out a programme of inquiries a reasonably tong time beforehand. The Marketing Board had been most valuable in helping to create voluntary preference for British goods. Enormous work could he done in the direction of research. For instance, it was estimated that 10 per cent, of the world’s crops were destroyed each year by insects. Research also would be most important into the problems of transportation and cold storage. Mr Amery added that tho.low-temperaturo research station at Cambridge had done excellent, work, despite its inadequate equipment, hut extra capital of £25,000 and a yearly income of £5,000 were being allotted to tho station to develop its inquiries. The cold storage carriage of all perishable foodstuffs from overseas was the Empire’s greatest need in the direction of research, together with a gradual linking up and co-ordination of the research work being carried out in any part of the Empire, with a quick interchange of ideas and tho results of discoveries. It was hoped that tho conference would examine tho whole of the work of tho Imperial Economic Committee, and consider what shape it should take in tho future. Above all, Mr Amery said ho trusted that the conference would encourage a continuance of tho committee’s work for the common good. DELEGATES DISAPPOINTED NO PRACTICAL PLANS. LONDON, October 21. Both the generosity and the completeness of Sir Austen Chamberlain’s exposition yesterday of Britain’s foreign relations as they concern the dominions impressed the dominion Prime Ministers, but to-day they are far less enthusiastic over Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister’s statement on Empire trade development. Preference, and other aspects of Imperial economics and Mr Amery’s speech on Empire marketing. . Only transcripts of the British Minister’s speeches were issued to-night. Those of tho dominion Prime Ministers on mandates will not ho available till to-morrow. It is no secret that tho comments of Mr Bruce, Mr Coates, and General Hertzog were most frank and critical, particularly on tho Mandates Commission’s searching questionnaire of 113 clauses. Much of the Prime Ministers’ warm criticism will not appear in to-morrow’s official report, but it can he said that they most firmly resent undue interference in matters "which are considered solely within the domestic administrative right of the mandatories. In this connection they were assured that the League Council was staying its hand until the mandatories had submitted their views. For this purpose a committee of the conference is being established to draw up a statement in the joint interests. This will also include strong protest against the Commission's idea of calling on official and residents of the mandated areas to

appear before it to give information bearing upon administrative affairs. The general view appears to he that the mandatories have hitherto been so careful to disclose most fully the details of their work that the proposal is a tactless, reflection on their candour. There is also the hottest opposition , to the Commission’s suggestion that aggrieved persons in mandates territories should have the right to approach it as petitioners over the heads of the Administrations. It is learned that there is nothing in the suggestion which was made in one quarter for pooling the mandates. The debate on Sir Philip CunliffeLister’s and Mr Amery’s statements has been deferred till to-morrow, but already sufficient has been said to show that the dominion delegates are bitterly disappointed at the lack of constructive suggestion, not fb say of a practical plan, which characterised both trade surveys. One view is that if this is the best the Dominions Office and the Board of Trade can do, the present conference is unlikely to get anywhere on the way to developing interimperial trade. Hints have already been thrown out that the Home authorities should come out with some definite basis upon which discussions can proceed; otherwise, the attempt to promote more active Empire settlement through a better developed preferential trade will prove futile. Mr Bruce hopes soon to renew the overtures to the British Post Office to enable Australia to control her own beam wireless station in Britain. It is gathered, however, that the Rost Office policy in this respect is unlikely to he relaxed.

Mr Contes, on Saturday, -will receive a deputation of five, representing tlio butter importers, blenders, wholesalers, the multiple shopkeeners, and tlm .small dealers. On Monday ho will broadcast a fiften-minnt.es’ speech on New Zealand, and the aame.nieiit he wilt witness the baht between TTeenoy ■’ed Stanley at the National Sporting Club. COMMERCIAL TREATIES. RIGHTS OF THE DOMINIONS. LONDON, October 21. It is authoritatively stated that the Government expects, after the Imperial Conference, to conclude direct commercial treaties with the dominions, _cspccially with Ireland and South Africa. it is believed that the right of the dominions to conclude treaties is acknowledge, but it has not yet been decided whether they must be concluded with the King as a dominion signatory. This is a point which the conference is expected to clear np. TNTERIMPERTAL TRADE. THE MOST VITAL AIM. LONDON, October 21. The delegates to the Imperial Conference were given a banquet to-night at the Hotel Victoria by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce. The president (Mr Gilbert Vyle) occupied the chair. The full commercial strength of the Empire was represented, and, in addition, many leading colonials were present. Mr Bruce urged the members of the chambers to depend upon themselves, and not upon the Governments, for 'Empire prosper‘ty, otherwise their last stage would bo worse than their first. Sir William Lees (vice-president) welcomed the overseas Prime Ministers and proposed the toast of “The British Commonwealth of Nations.” Mr Coates, who responded, said he appreciated the assistance of the chamber in New Zealand’s recent railway purchases. Ho urged the chamber to despatch to New Zealand its full range of literature to counteract the flood of foreign matter. Mr Coates emphasised the ‘fact that New Zealand’s interimperial trade would give employment to the people of the Empire. Recalling Trafalgar Day, ho paid a tribute tetho Navy as the shield of the Empirc, and concluded; “We will get mutual Imperial good-will quite apart from raising any question of reciprocity.”

The Maharajah of Burdwan also responded, urging a mutual understanding. Sir Philip Cnnliffc-Lister, in proposing the toast of “ Empire Trade,” said it would bo greater if the opportunities were realised. He did not think the bankers’ manifesto had removed the difficulties of foreign trade. It was more important for the Empire to concentrate on its own trade. Voluntary Imperial Preference was the surest basis of this. He declared that the toast was Britain’s pledge to do everything possible to extend Imperial trade. Mr Bruce, responding, said, that the Empire’s trade was the Empire’s most vital aim. Economic questions were now more important than they were three years ago, and for that reason the decisions on those questions should have the full authority of the Imperial Conference. “The Empire’s defence,” he declared, “ depends upon maintaining our position as a great commercial nation. The Navy must still protect the trade routes. We should cease platitudinising about the glorious past and discover what is the matter in order to solve the problems of the future, which come down to a question of markets, of which Britain is the best of the lot. He endorsed Mr Coates’s point about producing articles that buyers wanted. 1 Science had to he applied to industry to reduce the costs of production and enable the Empire to enter the world’s markets on an Empire-wide basis of efficiency. Sir Francis Bell proposed the toast of “ Our Hosts.” Mr Vyle, responding, said that the visitors were distinguished representatives of Britain’s best customers. The chambers of commerce could not too closely co-operate. The association would welcome conferences with the Empire’s trading and commercial interests preceding the Imperial Conferences, including an Advisory Committee. Though the protective tariffs m Europe were now so high thut they proved a trade barrier, the differences of language precluded a parallel between the United States of America and a similar union of nations in Europe, _____ SOUTH AFRICA’S IHDEPEHDENCE SUBJECT [WIDELY DISCUSSED. LONDON, October 22. {Received October 23, at 9.10 a.m.) Copies of Sir Austen Chamberlains speech have been circulated among the conference delegates for week-end study, preparatory to the resumption of the debate on Monday. It is learned that the discussion on the Singapore Base is reserved for the debate on Imperial Defence. General Hertzogs phrase, When our independent national status ceases to he a matter of dispute and becomes internationally recognised,” continues to bo widely discussed. Influential quarters suggest that such a thing is impossible unless Britain declared something akin to the _ Monroe Doctrine ; but even under this South Africa would require protection _ without responsibility, since she is virtually without a fleet and her man-power is limited. It is also pointed out that the African continent contains such a diversity of national interests and policies as to confront the Union’s aspiration for national independence with many elements of embarrassment, while the color problem would not he easier if she were detached from the Empire. It is understood that these matters will be mentioned at next week’s debate, after which it is hoped that General Hertzog will _ acknowledge the present impracticability of achieving nis ambitioru

THE ECONOMIC SURVEY SEVERELY CRITICISED. LONDON, October 22. (Received October 23, at 9.30 a.m.) Sir Philip Cuiiliffe-Lister’s economic survey at the Imperial Conference will ho discussed in committee, and after that' at the plenary session. The speech, despite, or because of its unepntentious nature, produced a disturbance of the conference’s calm. It is understood that it was received indifferently by the majority of the delegates, who are likely to criticise it vigorously when the debate is resumed. The critical temper is aroused because every Prime Minister firmly insists that this conference must “deliver the goods.” Apparently they consider that the speech is little more than platitudes and generalities, and offers next to nothing in the nature of constructive proposals. It scarcely even suggests moans by which interempire trade is intended to be developed. It appears that much rcstiveness was shown as the speech proceeded, and it is stated that one delegate left the conference, remarking that the whole thing was a useless review. There wore long references to the Marketing Board, yet this was merely a phase of the big subject. Hardly any attempt was made to discuss the important aspect of research. It did not contain a single new idea. It was paralysingly hopeless.—Sydney ‘ Sun ’ Cable, ABSENCE FROM ENTERTAINMENTS. LONDON, October 22. (Received October 23, at 9.20 a.m.) Ib is understood that General Hertxog’s absence from the entertainments for the dominion delegates, which has been causing comment, is duo to the exacting nature of the conference’s demands on bis time and health. ADD PERFECT RECEPTION... GREAT POSSIBILITIES. LONDON, October 22. (Received October 23, at 9.20 a.m.) The possibilities of the Beam System are evidenced in the transmission of a forty-three-word message from London journalists to Montreal, the answer being received in two minutes. The Post Office anticipates the opening of the South African service in four weeks, the Indian service in six, and the Australian service in ten weeks.