ENGLISH PARLIAMENTARIAN

Evening Star, Issue 25993, 7 January 1947, Page 4

ENGLISH PARLIAMENTARIAN

INTEREST IN OTAGO ADVOCATE FOR IMPERIAL PREFERENCE An English visitor with a very real interest in Otago, Colonel C. E. Ponsonby, arrived m Dunedin last night on a visit of inspection to the claim of Clutha River Gold Dredging Ltd., a company of which he is chairman. ot directors. His other associations with New Zealand are numerous, for he fought on 'Gallipoli with the Buffs, is vice-president of the ltoyal Empire Society, and chairman of the British Empire Producers’ Organisation, among other interests. As a Conservative .member of the House, of Commons for a Kentish constituency

since 1935, he has taken a particular interest in British and Empire military matters and colonial affairs. On the formation of the National Government in 1940, Colonel Ponsonby was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary of State for War and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. As chairman of the British Empire Producers’ Organisation, Colonel Ponsonby is a strong advocate for the retention of Imperial preference,. and one of the reasons for his _ visit . is to discuss aspects of the question with producers, “It is very important that Imperial preference should not be lost sight of. Next spring an international conference on trade is being held at the suggestion of the United States and, linked with it, is the possibility, also advanced by the U.S.A., of the elimination or modification of existing preferences,” he stated. “ I feel very strongly that it is important for the dominions and colonies, as well as for Great Britain, to strive to retain these preferences.” England’s political life, on which Colonel Ponsonby is well qualified to speak, at present centres on the trials of the Labour Government. “ The whole question is whether the Socialistic Government, in pursuit of its ideals, will experience trouble in the reconstruction so necessary after the war, more especially in trade development. Time alone will show tlie results. The Conservative Party’s viewpoint is that industry generally would have enjoyed a better opportunity if it had not been hampered by threats in certain directions of nationalisation. It must be remembered, however, that a very, sticky time would have been experienced by any Government in power. This year will be the testing time.” Mr Churchill was still a national figure, . and retained the “ power of perennial youth,” according to,Colonel Ponsonby, in whose constituency Mr Churchill resides. When the Conservative leader spoke. in the House of Commons he dominated the assembly. Mr Anthony Eden stood high in party favour and, admitting that it was an extreme supposition, Colonel Ponsonby thought that if the Conservatives were elected the governing party to-morrow, and if Mr Churchill declined office, Anthony Eden would be the next Prime Minister. ” Mr Attlee is a statesman and very British. He won’t let the Empire down.” Although not possessing the same force or personality as his leading opponent, Mr Attlee had a wonderful power of control over discordant elements in his own party,” added Colonel Ponsonby.