IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Northern Advocate, 3 October 1930, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

J INSPIRING FAITH MacDONALD MESSAGE. THE WILL TO PREVAIL. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, October 1. “I should like to make this conferonce another turning point in our his- ’• tory,” said Mr MacDonald in broad- □ ' casting a speech throughout the coun- * try, "We have been suffering from a bad bout of pessimism. The growing 1 weekly figures of unemployment have been serious enough, but they do not truly indicate unemployment as understood a few years ago. It has had a bad effect in depressing us and hiding us in a cloud to the rest of the world. This must be stopped. "Our weakness lies in our psychology more than our skill, materials, resources and opportunities. We need a renewal of will that the Empire is in a waxing, not a waning, state. The present generation must add to its honour. The value of trade will not keep inter-Empire affections vital, but vital affection must keep our trade ample. Economic interests are often conflicting and not easy to harmonise., "Many of the schemes discussed in the Press would break down in six months. They would not enrich the Empire*s peoples permanently either in trade or reputation. The conference opens amid a disquqieting outlook, but Britishers * genius is at best when the difficulties are greatest. On the very magnitude of the problems we are facing I build the good hope of overcoming them. "The whole world is suffering from acute depression of trade. We have j to consider practical measures of helping one another, thereby helping all, ( remembering different world contracts and internal industrial circumstances to which we must accommodate ourselves.

“Nobody surveying our opportunities and resources' can. fail to have confidence that we shall succeed, despite the pernicious propaganda of defeatism so prevalent recently. We require practical measures and farreaching soundness, not short-sighted attractions with unknown reactions. I hope. that our discussion will provide the former.’ ’ Mr R. B. Bennett, Canadian Prime Minister, expressed the opinion that never in the history of the conference had questions of such urgency and such basic consequence to Empire welfare been presented. Plain Speaking. The “Daily Herald,” in an editorial on the conference says; “The Premiers of Australia and South Africa spoke frankly on the issue of Imperial preference. Wo must be equally frank. Such preferential tariffs as Mr Scullin and General Hertzog suggest would moan the establishment of a protectionist system in this country, including taxation of food and raw material. To such a change the people of this country are opposed. Dominion .statesmen will blunder seriously if they take the trumpetings of Lords Rothermerc and Beaverbrook for the authentic voice of Great Britain, British Labour regards tho attempt to regulate trade by taxing it as antiquated, and urges Mr Scullin and General Hertzog to consider whether it is not in the direction of bulk purchase by public authority that cooperation is achievable.” Other papers suspend comment. ORDER OF AGENDA.

DELEGATION HEADS MEET,

EXPERTS DELIBERATE

(Received 9.53 a.m.) LONDON, October 2

Tills morning’s communique states that the heads of the delegations met at No 10 Downing Street to consider the best methods of dealing with the agenda. As a preliminary they discussed some constitutional questions and referred certain aspects of interImpcrial relations to the sub-committee under Lord San,key's chairmanship. The heads of the delegations will meet

again tomorrow. The General Committee of Economic Experts further 'conferred. The Research Committee under Lord Parmoor’s chairmanship unit meet this afternoon.

OVERSEAS GOVERNORS. APPOINTMENT METHOD, ROYAL OR LOCAL?

(Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, October 2

Criticism of the baldness of the official communique had its result, in instantaneous packing of the Locarno Room for a 5.30 talk, at which journalists had the satisfaction of seeing Mr .1 H. Thomas take the .spokesman’s c.liali* and 1 outline an arrangement under which lie, at frequent periods, would give personal enlightment on the course of the conference.

He bore out his previous statement that fin unwise would lie seek to interpret Dominion viewpoints,, and further that there was not the slightest objection to Mr .Sc nil in, Mr Forbes or a.ny other Prime Minister taking the press into his confidence whenever he chose.

The first fact to emerge under the new order of publicity was the early raising of the question of GovernorGenerals. It is understood that it was Mr Sen 11 in who introduced the matter, the conference postulating that the

.1926 variation of Dominion status justified direct approach to the King on the. appointment of a GovernorGeneral. There are grounds for believing that a certain amount of shyness of the topic is shown by the other Dominion envoys, some of whom are inclined to think that Mr .Scullin as glad to be quit of the awkward problem of having a native-born Governor-General and that he is trying to find a way to save the Cabinet’s face. Canada is not concerned in the probem and wants to got on with bigger lungs, notably economics. New Zealand is quite, content to rely >u Downing Street’s 1 judgment and to lave the Imperial link maintained hrongh distinguished Britishers, while General Hertzog’s demeanour suggests hat he is unwilling to add another haft to the quiverful of mischief. Seemingly no one contests the right which Mr .Scullin claims, just as Mr Thomas says that none challenges the, right of secession, .Still a need exists

for meeting all viewpoints about Gov ernors, and Lord Sankey’s Committee, on which Mr Garran will represent Australia, will thrash out an acceptable formula. Even should it be found that the major question remains whether a native-born Governor may be appointed, the Sankey Committee naturally will not attempt to trench on His Majesty’s prerogative. If Mr Sculiln .desires to submit .a group of Australian names for the. King’s consideration he will still be free to do so, but whether His Majesty will approve is another matter. It may happen .as an alternative that British names will bo sent to Mr Scullin. Nothing emerging from the conference will impair thie Royal privilege, and nothing will change the natural course of events when the Sovereign declines to accept Ministers’ advice.

Economic Question. The stage is set for a full economic discussion, on. Monday morning. Mr R. B. Bennett (Canada) will lead off with definite proposals. Mr Scullin is likely to follow with a full-throated plea for stronger preference. New Zealand occupies the anomalous position of giving yet not receiving preferences. Her delegation obviously is concerned about the Labour policy of free imports. They envisage the time in their own increased production when it may be difficult for her to market the whole of her products in Britain. Consequently they are anxious for a definite plan securing hex that market, for which she will give a reciprocal quid pro quo. It may be taken for granted that Mr Forbes will in nowise support bulk purchases, which he regards as impracticable. It was Australia who had bulk purchases included in the agenda. Mr Moloney will discuss it with Dr. Addison tomorrow in preparation for Monday's debate, in which it will not be surprising if Australia finds it best to play preference as her strongest card.

The General Economic Committee preliminarily discussed reciprocity in old age pensions, a standardisation form of invoice for Customs purposes, and also regulations regarding marks of origin. Scientific Research. Lord Parmoor, in opening the Imperial Conference Research Sub-Cor-ference, said that the aims were to ox tend the co-operation of research organisations which were effectively utilisable in furthering the common stock .of scientific knowledge and methods.

It is (proposed, as a result of Australia’s special request, to widen the scope in. order to enable discussion on agricultural questions. Visits have been arranged to various research stations all over Britain. Various Committees.

An official communique announced that, in addition to Lord Sa.nkcy’s Committee, the following had. been created. —Mandates, Arbitration and Disarmament, War Graves, Defence, Economic Matters (embracing civil

aviation, cables and overseas settlement), and experts dealing with re search and industrial standardisation.

HONOUR FOR MR FORBES,

Mr G. W. Forbes, Now Zealand Prime Minister, -will receive the Freedom of the City of London on November 4. He has already received many invitations to visit provincial cities, including Edinbunrgh, Glasgow,' Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Hull. Only four have yet been accepted.