IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 November 1926, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

DELEGATES ENTERTAINED. DISSOLUTION OF EMPIRE BOLSHEVIK BELIEF WRONG. BY CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION -COPYRIGHT Received 10.10 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Nov. 1. The Empire Producers’ Association gave a lunch to the delegates of the Imperial Conference at the Goldsmiths’ Hall. The Duke of Sutherland presided. Mr W. Mackenzie King, owing to a chill, was the only important absentee. The Duke of Sutherland, referring to the plentitude of hospitality, said that he knew the delegates’ hearts were in tho right place, but what about their livers? He said that everyone had listened with the keenest interest to Mr S. M. Bruce’s emphasis on the economic factor of Empire relationship. Mr J. G. Coates was a worthy successor to Mr W. F. Massey. He had been truly called the managing director of New Zealand. Bolshevists, in believing the Empire to be on the verge of dissolution, were wrong in this, as in every other tenet of their detestable creed. “Where the treasure is there shall th(f heart be also.” The Empire’s treasure was essentially in production and trade. The Duke of Sutherland concluded with an unperceived pun, saying that the necessity was realised for the development of aviation on a higher plane. IMPERIAL PROBLEMS. ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION THE MASTER KEY. Received 11.10 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Nov. 1. The Hon. C. L. M. S. Amery, in proposing the toast oi the guests, stressed the importance of inter-im-perial economic co-operation. The solution of that problem .would be the master key to .solve all others. The Empire {needed effective schemes of publicity, marketing, ’ organisation and research. Mr. Amery personally believed in the policy of Imperial preference, aiming at freer trade within the Empire. So far we have not- had the courage to take arms against a -sea of trouble and by opposing, end them, but we should. Mr. J. G. Coates prophesied the possibility of development in interimperial trade and stressed the value of co-operative marketing. He pointed out that the temperament of New Zealand was opposed to minimum price fixing. Messrs Monroe and Brace, Sir B. O. Burdwan and Sir William Hoy also-, replied.