EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 17 June 1932, Page 5

EMPIRE CONFERENCE

CURRENCY QUESTION “ A VERY LIVELY HOPE” COMMENT BY MR BRUCE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 17th June, 9.50 a.m.) CANBERRA, This Day. Commenting on recent cabled references to an Empire currency, Mr Bruce, assistant Minister, said; “While it is possible that valuable steps can be taken at Ottawa to link Empire currency into a stable and harmonious system, they could not be such as would endanger Australian .primary industries. It is practicable at present to bring about parity between currencies in different parts of the Empire on the basis suggested in some quarters. There is, however, a broader sense in which an Empire currency is not only a possibility but a. very lively hope. It may be po.ssibio for the dominions to agree to link their currencies with sterling at ratios which can be kept fairly stable, though different for each dominion. Measures can then be concerted for keeping sterling and therefore the whole system under control. With such a basis of stable exchange through a wide range of countries it may be possible to plan a number of measures for the promotion of lower interest rates and the encouragement of investment, which would assist a general recovery within the sterling group, and give a lead to the world.” BRITAIN’S TIMBER IMPORTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR DOMINIONS LONDON, 16th June. “The Times” in an editorial urges timber traders to send their own committee to advise at Ottawa, especially with a view to defeating Russian dumping. The paper points out that in spite of huge Empire forests, only 6 per cent, of the timber imported into the United Kingdom from overseas, to the annual value of nearly £50,000,000, is grown on Empire soil. • “It seems obvious that timber delegates at Ottawa who are now doubtless appointed will carry greater weight if they are not only expert but official.” AGENDA LIST NOT COMPLETED OTTAWA, 15th June. The agenda of the Imperial Conference will not be completed for some time, consequently it will not be available for the discussion on the Conference in _ the British House of Commons on Friday. While the main lines of the programme are pretty well agreed upon, there are still details to be worked out and additions to the draft agenda made. Communications have been forwarded to the dominions, but replies have not been received from all. PLANS FOR GATHERING

QUESTION OF OPENING OTTAWA, Bth June. The occasion of the opening, .'of the Empire Economic Conference at Ottawa on 21st July is regarded as one of supreme importance, but the character of the opening function has not yet been decided. It is understood that the Prince of Wales is not unwilling to come to preside at the opening, but it is believed to bo questionable whether the British Government will consent, because of the political nature of the conference events. The “Montreal Herald” and the Vancouver “Province” have urged strongly that the King should be invited to come. For the most part the deliberations will be in camera, with perhaps a dozen committees working, and the formal opening of the conference may mark the first plenary session, possibly a,week after the opening day. Although the British delegates will bo only eight in number, the staff accompanying them will number 98, consisting of various officials, technical advisers and stenographers. There is disappointment over the announcement that the New Zealand Primo Minister, Mr G. W. Forbes,, will not be able to come, and that perhaps there will be only one Minister from that Dominion. From all the other Dominions the- complements will be full. Care is being taken to remove any impression that individual bodies or organisations, or even provincial Governments will be able to go before and address the conference publicly or privately. They can submit memoranda or briefs, but the channel of communication will be the Dominion Government. The Prime Minister will not be without discretionary I power in dealing with such representations. A very large delegation from British industry is coming over to watch developments, while Canadian and United States interests will have adequate representation. referenceln commons STATEMENT BY MR THOMAS (Britisn Official Wireless) RUGBY, 16th JuiA. The forthcoming conference at Ottawa was discussed in the House of Commons to-day. Mr Thomas said it would be (he duty of Ministers when they met fellow dominion statesmen and with them represented a quarter of the population of the world, including all classes, creeds, and politics, to see how they could direct their energies to obtain more and freer trade. The difficulty would be to reconcile differing interests. They were encouraged to hope by the fact that, they were meeting representatives of their kin with the tremendous advantage of goodwill on all sides. The first question would bo as to the steps which could be usefully taken between the dominions of mutual advantage to each other’s trade. That alone covered a wide range of subjects and raised definitely (he question of tariffs, and with it the question of Imperial preference. Britain had made a great contribution to goodwill by their own action on this matter, and they believed their gesture would bo reciprocated. Regarding secondary industries in the dominions Mr Thomas suggested that where different manufactures not made in the dominions could be made better and more cheaply in Britain, such goods should be subjected to a process of rationalisation and agreement as between one dominion and another. After trade and related matters there were monetary and financial questions, which must include the whole question of currency, lie thought changing world conditions and the-changed relationship in the .British Commonwealth all justified the hope and belief that there might emerge from the Conference some body representing all the dominions that would be able to be in daily contact. The policy of tlie Government was to go to Ottawa absolutely free and unfettered, with an open mind, and prepared to ex-