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Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1932, Page 4

The statement given by the Hon. J. G, Coates to the House of Representatives on Thursday evening in connection with the Ottawa agreements was of a very comprehensive nature, and conveys much information in regard to the happenings at that great gathering. In his opening remarks Mr Coates -stressed the importance of that conference, and the various phases of the discussions were touched on. In urging the necessity of taking active steps to remove the great depression that was effecting the whole world, and the taking of decisive steps to assist the various sections of the world 1 wide Empire, it was recognised that the ideal and purpose of the many delegates was to contribute to a. general recovery. Mr Baldwin had stated in opening the conference the necessity of clearing the channels that were holding up world trade, and for the taking of every possible step to advance and promote commerce within the Empire. These remarks formed one of the keynotes of the conference. It was recognised th ! at no nation, or group of nations, however wealthy and populous, could maintain its prosperity in a world where depression and impoverishment reign. In dealing with the customs changes agreed upon it has to be recognised that the benefits can not he on one side only, and that it is necessary for a give and take policy to be agreed upon. It will he noted that in the tentative agreement made the concessions allowed to Britain mean a reduction of duties to Britain, instead of an increase in duties to outside countries. This while giving a concession to Britain wiU mean a percentage reduction in the amount of customs duties to he received by the’ New Zealand Government. It must be recognised that the main object of the conference at Ottawa, was to generally ns bt in improving inter-Empire trade, and though there may he points in the agreements made that detrimentally 'affect some of the interested parties thereto, it will be necessary to consider and accept the value of the agreement as a whole instead of considering its value and interest as from one particular viewpoint. So far 'as the cable messages to hand voice the oniniong of the other portions of the Emnire, it would aprear-that the agreements made are meeting with the approval of public opinion. The discussion to take place in Parliament is hound to bring forward the various phases of opinion, but it would appear that in the effort to reach the objective of unity of Empire the 'advantages to result should prove of distinct value to the countries a ffeeted.