OTTAWA CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 June 1932, Page 8

OTTAWA CONFERENCE

MR COATES’S STATEMENT. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, June 25. “I have much faith in the good that can come out of the Ottawa Conference, provided that each unit of the Empire is prepared to co-operate in solving the vital economic problems that are facing the British Commouwealth,” said Mr Coates in a statement to “The Domiliiofi,” before leaving Wellington for Auckland this evening en route for the Ottawa Conference. “There is ample evidence to show that a real desire exists to make the Conference a turning point in in-ter-Empire trade and financial relations, and this must be a source of real encouragement to the delegates who are assembling from all parts of the Empire, and who will seek to give a lead in finding a way out of the present difficulties. We are still four weeks away from the opening of the Conference, and, even aftei- the discussions begin, we must not expect the working of economic wonders within a short period. The scope of the; agenda paper should show that it is only by strengthening the whole foundation of Empire commerce that we can hope for an economic recovery. No one part of the Empire can expect to benefit at the expense of others, nor can one Dominion find a way out without co-operation of the other units of the British Commonwealth. New Zealand will strive for mutual advantages, for her future depends on the prosperity of Great Britain, and of the sister Dominions. The wholesale price level of our export commodities is a vital factor, and! if this problem can be tackled with any degree of success, the Conference will be justified on that ground alone. Although it is a most complex question, we hope that the monetary problem and the issues connected with it, and their relation to the price level will be discussed, at least to a point where a general plan for the whole Empire can be seriously considered. After the Ottawa Conference, we cannot overlook the economic problems of other countries, and if the Empire can show the world that it has set itsen seriously to the task of righting its own difficulties we may reasonably hope for the growth of a new outlook toward overcoming the post war depression.”

FAREWELLS AT THORNDON.

WELLINGTON, June 26. There was a crowd to bid farewell to the official party at Thorndon, and the train drew out to the accompaniment of loud cheering. For the past three or four days, Mr Coates has been working almost round the clock, clearing up what essential business remained to be done before his departure and supervising the details connected with the final preparations of the Dominion’s case to be presented at the conference, as well as arranging for the temporary transference of his portfolios. As both Mr Coates and his employment secretary, Dr R. M. Campbell, will be away for about three months, the handing over of the duties devolving upon the administration of the portfolio of Employment have had to be provided for. The portfolio will be taken over by the PostmasterGeneral (Mr Hamilton), and Mr Coates has had frequent conferences with him and with the Minister of Agriculture, Mr MacMillan, who is to assume charge of Public Works, in the meantime.

Last-minute discussions were held with members of the Ministry before Mr Downie Stewart left for Auckland by the afternoon train on Saturday, and after he had gone, Mr Coates was kept busy with the Prime Minister. Until a few days ago, Mr Coates did not know whether he would be free to attend the conference, and this made his final preparations all the more difficult, and it was not until early this evening that he was in a position to leave his office.

Some time before the Limited left, there was a large crowd waiting at the station to see the official party 7 leave. The Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) was waiting to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Cdates when he arrived at the platform, and with him were Messrs Masters, Young, and Sir A. T. Ngata. Those on the platform, included Italian Consul (Signor G. Formichella), the Belgian Consul, M. Armand Nihotte, other members of the Consular Corps, and many friends of members of the official party. Accompanying Mr Coates, were the Secretary of the Treasury (Mr Park) and the Comptroller of Customs (Dr Craig), expert advisers to the New Zealand delegation. The British Trade Commissioner, Mr L. A. Paish, who is to attend the Conference, was also a passenger by train, in addition to Mr E. F. Healy 7 , M.P. for Wairau, who intends to be in Ottawa while the Conference is being held, and who will then undertake a tour of America.