Our Good Fortune

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 67, 20 March 1936, Page 7

Our Good Fortune

Britain to Turn to Dominions

FOLLOWING COLLAPSE OF DANISH DISCUSSIONS

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Mar. IS.

Tko Sun-Herald news agency understands that in connection with the ’renewal of the Ottawa- dairy products agreements the British Government contemplates giving the Dominions, particularly Australia and New Zealand, a larger share of the imports of dairy products as a result of the virtual collapse of the Anglo-Danish discussions, coupled with the ustonishing trade treaty just concluded by Denmark with Germany. ' The Danes are now consulting the Government-after declaring that it was impossible even to consider Britain’s proposals. They have submitted alternative suggestions, which are not. acceptable to the British Government, which declares that at the present time it is useless to proceed, as no useful purpose is possible. The agreement between Germany and Denmark compels the Danes to purchase an additional £0,500,000 worth of German manufactures, in exchange for which the Germans will buy an extra £11,500,000 worth of Danish produce. Prime Minister Pleased NEED EOR TRADE DISCUSSIONS EMPHASISED. Per Press Associat'on. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The possibility of the Dominions receiving a large share of Great Britain’s dairy imports in the near future w r as welcomed enthusiastically by the Prime Minister when the Press cablegram from London on the subject was referred to him to-night. The cable stated that, in connection with the renewal of the Ottawa dairy products ’ agreement, the British Government eon- ’ templated giving the Dominions, parI ticularly Australia and New Zealand, a : larger share of imports. ; “I think it is splendid that the Dominions should be brought closer to- : gethcr in tho matter of trade,” Mr ; Savago said, “and that tho British Government contemplates giving the • Dominions a larger share of its import : market. If we are going to discuss preferential trade within the Empire, . this is the sort of thing that must haps pen. There is no use talking of mutual i trade within the Empire and then work- ■ ing out agreements with other countries, s That certainly is not helpful.” : Mr Savage said the new view-point i of the British Government was brought ; about apparently by a breakdown in the negotiations with Denmark and by the latter country’s recent' trade agreement with Germany. It strengthened his view that tliero should be permanent facilities for Empire discussions oil trade matters. The different countries of the British Commonwealth ought to be in a position to discuss such matters at any stage. The'setting up of something in tho nature of a permanent Empire Council could remove maDy of the difficulties which were at present encountered. It was not yet clear, Mr Savago continued, whether New Zealand would bo invited to participate in the conference on the future of the British dairy market. The belief in the past had been that the whole subject would eomo up for discussion at the expiry of tho British Government’s agreements with Denmark and Argentine. Both these agreements expired this yc;lr but so far no invitation had been received by tho New Zealand Government, to make any representations regarding the future. It was not known whether some form of conference might be called this year or whether the whole matter might be held in abeyance uDtil next year when tho coronation of King Edward and the holding of tho Imperial Conference would mean the presence of a largo gathering of Empire statesmen in London. At present tho situation in Europe overshadows everything. “The British Government has kept us closely informed of all developments and it seems to me that one result of it all w-ill be that all countries of the British Commonwealth will be. brought closer together,” Mr Savage added. Lord Bledisloe on Milk Consumption , United Press Association—By Blectric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Mar. IS. ‘‘Great Britain arid New Zealand have the unfortunate distinction of consuming t-lio smallest quantity of milk per capita of population,” said Viscount Bledisloe, former GovernorGeneral of New Zealand, in the House of Lords during a debate on the more extensive provision of milk for school children. He added that as the result of personal inquiry of tho medical staffs of New Zealand hospitals he came to the conclusion that about 35 per cent, of the inmates were there owing to malnutrition in their childhood. There were undoubtedly more milk producers in Britain than there were three or four years ago. The Dominions, especially New Zealand, wero being blamed for the glut, but the Dominions must live, he said, and difficulties would inevitably arise unless it was made economically possible for New Zealand to meet her service loans.