TRADE OF EMPIRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 228, 26 August 1932, Page 7

TRADE OF EMPIRE

EFFORT FOR INCREASE. AIMS OF THE CONFERENCE. TAKING DOWN BARRIERS. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received August 26, 10.30 a.m. WASHINGTON, Aug. 25. Mr S. M. Bruce, Prime Minister of Australia, was received by President Hoover to-day. Mr Bruce said afterwards that he had presented an account of the aims and attainments of tlio Imperial Conference. He was presented to President Hoover by Mr F. D. Osborne, Charge D’Affairs at tlio British Embassy, and was accompanied by Mr H. S. Gullett, and Mr F. L. McDougall. Discussing the general ideas of the Conference, Mr Bruce said: “We are trying to adjust and increase our internal trado in the Empire not by putting up barriers, but by taking them down, while naturally we are striving to protect by tariffs our own industries. We are just as good protectionists as you are here.” EFFECTS ON DENMARK. (Times Cables.) LONDON, Aug. 25. The Copenhagen correspondent of the Times says that, on second thoughts, Danish agriculturists feel that the effects of the Ottawa Conference will not bo as serious as at first feared. The egg trade will probably suffer most. Butter will not ho unduly affected. They consider that Danish butter has long fetched higher prices than British Dominions’ products and will continuo to do so, thereby overcoming the increased duties.

Meanwhile the Government is preparing to negotiate a trade agreement with Britain immediately Mr Stanley. Baldwin and Lis colleagues at Ottawa return from the Conference.

RESULTS CRITICISED,

LORD BEAVERBROOK’S STATE-

MENT.

LONDON, Aug. 25. “This is net Empire free trade. It is not Mr Baldwin’s Imperial economic unity. It is at most a recklqss step or two in that direction.” This is Lord Beavcrbrook’s verdict on the Ottawa Conference published in the Daily Express. He complains with regard to the Argentina beef trade that tlio Government listened to financiers who say tliat £500,000,000 is invested in Argentina, “but much lias been irretrievably lost, whereas the capital value of British agriculture is about £2,000,000.000 and another £2,000,000,000 is ih'vested in tire Dominions/’ A duty on frozen beef imports, lie says, would bo worthless. Argentine exporters could substitute chilled for frozen whenever they pleased. Ho declares that he will conduct a campaign until duties are imposed on beef and pig meat. Ho will also demand fair treatment for oats and barley.