CURT REPLIES

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1933, Page 5

CURT REPLIES

ATTITUDE OF MR THOMAS OVERSEAS ENVOYS AROUSED. .STRAIGHT TALK ON MONDAY. PLAINT OF HOME FARMERS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received noon.) LONDON, July 20. Tfio dominion delegations are considerably stirred by the tone of yesterday's dairy produce debate in the House of Lords. For some days resentment has been manifest at what is termed the censorious note of the replies to questions in the House of Commons by Mr .1. H. Thomas, Do-

minions Secretary, Consequently, it is expected that the renewal of the Empire discussions on the meat and dairy produce problems at Monday’s Empire meetings will be ' marked by straight talking. Indeed, one Dominion representative remarks that “things are shaping for a showdown.” There is such a carry-over of subjects directly affecting the Empire that, to all intents and purposes, the next fortnight will be an unofficial Imperial Conference. From the speeches of Major Elliot, Minister of Agriculture, supplemented by numerous critical questions in the House of Commons, it is more than probable that the dominions will be confronted with a new appeal to regulate exports for the sake of the British agriculturist. The “Sun” says it is understood that Mr Thomas’ attitude towards the dominions lately has been deeply resented by the dominion representatives, who are likclv to strongly criti--7 * * , rise him at Monday’s meeting. Already they have informally protested at his implications in the House of Commons against the dominions. The Council of the National Farmers’ Union passed a 'resolution emphasising the urgency of an immediate understanding with the dominions regarding dairy quotas and the regulation of meat imports, as the Home producer is entitled to first place in the Home market.