COMMERCE CONGRESS

Evening Star, Issue 22462, 6 October 1936, Page 6

COMMERCE CONGRESS

IIITEREMPIRE TRADE DISCUSSED FOREIGN LOANS AFFECT SITUATION [Pee United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, October 5 At the afternoon sitting the Empire Chambers of Commerce Congress dealt with interimperial trade, an amalgamation of resolutions being moved by Mr Granville Gibson (London). While welcoming and approving the Ottawa agreements, he maintained, and quoted cases to show, that they were working to the disadvantage of England, and must be reviewed. In that review, he insisted, business interests must be represented, and not pushed aside as they were when the agreements were made; but they could not wait for readjustments in ail cases, and the Governments of the Empire should consider certain cases immediately. The resolution submitted that the ideal to which the policy of Imperial economic co-operation should be directed is that each partner should extend to the others all the advantages that can be offered at a given moment without detriment to the vital requirements of its domestic situation. Mr Russell (Sydney), seconding the motion, made out a case for the primary produce of the dominions being given unlimited entry into Britain. _ This was part of the resolution moved by Mr Granville Gibson, who had explained, however, that he had not arrived when the resolutions were grouped. He was opposed to this part, and moved the resolution with that reservation. The proposal was utterly opposed to tho British Government's policy as enunciated by the Minister of Agriculture (Air W. E. Elliot). Sir Albert Atkey (Britain) moved the deletion of tho paragraph, adding to the strong reasons given by Mr Gibson further reasons, among which was Britain’s foreign loans and trade interests. He explained bluntly that the dominions themselves benefited, as it were, once removed from Britain’s trade with foreign countries, because Britain used the dominions’ products in such trading. Air Aiton (Derby) seconded the amendment.

Mr Corke (Sydney) suggested an alteration, which was accepted, making the provision read : “ Minimising so far as possible the imposition of restrictions on the importation into the United Kingdom of dominion primary products.” This obviated the suggestion of the elimination of restrictions, and also reference to foreign countries. Mr Gibson intimated that he was glad of the acceptance of this clause. Ho appreciated the Australians’ generosity. The congress proceeded to deal with the resolution with the clause so amended. The resolution, whilst whole-heartedly supporting the principles of economic co-operation underlying the Ottawa agreements, set forth certain courses to be urged on His Majesty’s Governments in giving practical effect to that principle. These included agreements negotiated bilaterally rather than through another Imperial Economic Conference, such bilateral agreements to ensure specific tariff treatment to a selected list of commodities rather than relying for an advance to the contracting parties on the application of vague general principles. Other provisions included ensuring to the United Kingdom the carrying out of a reasonable agricultural policy and affording the dominions an opportunity to develop to a reasonable extent their secondary industries and generally bringing about closer cooperation in Empire trade. A groat variation of view w-as revealed in a long debate, and much of the afternoon was spent listening to a variety of trade figures, both general and particular, as to the existing position between Britain, and the various parts of the Empire and thp world. Much of the discussion also centred on secondary industries, especially as regards Australia. Mr Bury (Newcastle, New South Wales) expressed the view that the agricultural policy of Britain was not only not in the interests of Britain herself but was one of the most disruptive forces in the Empire. The resolution was carried, with two' dissentients. A resolution was carried strongly recommending to the Governments of Britain and the dominions that, at the time of reviewing the Ottawa trade agreements, they should invito the cooperation- of expert advisers, who should be representative of .the primary and secondary industries and the chambers of commerce. Another resolution was carried strongly advocating an interchange of Ministerial visits before the bilateral agreements which had been suggested wore concluded. DELEGATES’ WIVES ENTERTAINED. The Wellington Travel Club yesterday entertained the wives of the delegates to the Chambers of Commerce Congress at a garden party at “ Homewood,” the residence of Mr and Mrs B. Sutherland, of Karori. At night the Mayor of Wellington (Air T. C. A. Hislop) and members of the City Council gave a reception in the Town Hall in honour of the delegates.