LITTLE HEARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 5

LITTLE HEARD

ABOUT OTTAWA CONFERENCE IMPERIAL PREFERENCE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S OPPOSITION (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 20th February, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, lyth February. The “Sun-Herald” political correspondent asks what is happening about the Ottawa Conference. “It is practically four months since the Imperial Conference decided to continue the economic discussion at Ottawa, but little has been heard since then. The British Government Cabinet Committee, in consultation with Government departments, has arranged a policy, but no decision about date appears to have been reached. It was earlier suggested that the conference might be held in midsummer, but that apparently is now out of the question owing to the short time for preparation. There appears to be some difficulty in getting all the dominions to agree. “The uncertain political position here and in Australia and the difficult internal situations in other dominions seem to point to no great enthusiasm about Ottawa at the moment. Dominion delegates generally hoped there might be a change of Government here between the Imperial and Ottawa Conferences. Although the situation here is still most uncertain an election appears to be further away than at any time recently, and it is hinted that there is a possibility of the Ottawa Conference being deferred until 1932. The dominions feel that little progress can be achieved under the present Government, which would be prepared to discuss little more than a .wheat quota, bulk purchase, and import boards. The dominions feel that real business is onlv possible there with Governments w’illing to negotiate Imperial preferences. Mr MacDonald s Government latterly has given an even colder douche thereto, and Mr Graham s latest approach of European countries for an all round lowering _ of tariffs further embarrasses the dominions.