IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 20613, 13 October 1930, Page 8

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

THE PREFERENCE ISSUE

BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S RESERVATIONS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, October 11. The Government has informed the dominions that it is willing to consider any proposal not excluding preferences. Such consideration must be based on two general conditions. The Government cannot agree to any proposal involving an increase in the cost of living in Britain or suddenly interfering with existing commercial treaties. Both these considerations will have to be borne in Blind wheU tho Canadian proposal is discussed in detail, hut it is not thought that they will present insuperable obstacles.—London ‘ Tiifies ’ Cable.

FRENCH PRESS COMMENT

LONDON, October 11. The French Press comments are copious and strongly adverse to the dominions’ offer of 10 per cent, preference to Britain. The general tone of the criticism suggests the feeling that the British Empire is Unclosed in a ring fence which is a danger to tho world.—London ‘ Times ’ Cable.

BRITISH MINISTER INDIGNANT

LONDON, October 10. “ The tariff-mongers afe shamefully exploiting the Imperial Conference,” said Mr A. V. Alexander, a member of the Cabinet, in the course of a speech as Sheffield. “I wonder what would be said,” he stated, “ if the anti-Pro-tectionists began a public agitation demanding that the dominions should repeal their tariffs. They would be instantly and rightfully denounced as interfering with the dominion status. Mr Baldwin, unable to restrain himself, rushed in to take up Mr Bennett’s proposals. It is scandalous if the Conservatives see in the conference only an opportunity to clear np the party’s squabbles and discredit the people conducting the negotiations to gain a miserable party advantage.”

(NTERIMPERIAL RELATIONS

LONDON, October 11. The indications are that one of the earliest plenary decisions will be on the subject of interimperial relations, upon Which the Sankey Committee is speeding up its. report. Tlie full discussion on the creation of an Empire tribunal will be adjourned to permit the individual delegations to consider whether it is really necessary. It seems fairly certain that the decision will be against a permanent tribunal. It is understood that tllo Australian view is to avoid an excessive rigidity between the component parts of the Empire, though it recognises that some machinery may be necessary arising from the signature of the optional clause with reservations. Respecting ihterimperial disputes, opinions foreshadow the rejection of the idea of anything akin to The Hague International Court. The discussion at present centres on whether machinery is necessary for special arbitral proceedings. Australia favours a settlement by discussion and mutual accommodation, with perhaps a special tribunal as occasion may arise When a final decision is required. It has been suggested that such arbitral questions should be in the nature of those which, if of foreign origin, come within the scope of the optional clause, with the addition of those arising from special Empire relationships. Discussion proceeds on the methods of appointing Governors-General and the channel of communication: between His Majesty and the dominion Governments. There is seemingly an entire recognition of responsibility fot advice to the King on matters affecting them, including the appointment of GOver-nors-Genoral, The question of appeals to the Privy Council has so far hot been approached.