IMPERIAL PREFERENCE NECESSARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 3 October 1936, Page 13

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE NECESSARY

FOR MAINTENANCE OF EMPIRE

STATEMENT BY MR NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN

(United tress Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright;

(Received 3rd October, 2.0 p.m.) LONDON, 2nd October.

The necessity of Imperial preference for the maintenance of the Empire was emphasised by Mr Neville Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, deputising for Mr Stanley Baldwin at the Conservative Conrerence. “It is suggested that we should as early as possible free ourselves from the Ottawa Agreements in order to treat foreigners than our own Dominions. I believe that we will see the end of the Empire if that view is adopted. We are accustomed to hear of the dangers of Fascism and Communism, and speak of three great countries, namely the United States, France and Britain as the remaining strongholds of democracy. Are not Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa also democracies? Have not they room for a vast increase in population as soon as economic conditions justify? Who can say how far they will be advanced in half a century in numbers, resources and power. The United Kingdom has ho customer to compare with the Dominions. We cannot expect them to abstain from developing their own industries.”