AMERICAN INTEREST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18520, 3 October 1923, Page 9

AMERICAN INTEREST.

TRADE CONSIDERATIONS.

THE EFFECT OF PREFERENCE. SEARCH FOR LIQUOR AT SEA. By Telegraph— Association Copyright .; (Received 5.5 p.m.) , United Service. WASHINGTON. Oct. 1. Official circles are awaiting the Imperial Conference discussions with great interest, especially in view of. the fact that Britain has intimated that the question of the 12-mile limit in regard.to the right of search for liquor will be considered. It is felt that Britain, while negativing the American proposal to conclude a treaty on the matter, left open the possibility of its acceptance as an outcome of the Imperial Conference. The hope is expressed here that the Prime Ministers will express their views on the question, possibly leading to an arrangement by which the United States can conclude an understanding with the individual Dominions.

Observers are also taking ; great interest in the various constitutional questions and the problem of Imperial defence listed on the agenda, as the decisions thereon will have a. direct bearing on American foreign policy especially if it is decided that the Dominions can appoint their own Ministerial representatives at Washington. It is felt that this would have an important effect on the relations between Britain and America. ~

The recent discussions on Imperial preference have given Americans much food lor thought. There is a distinct feehug that while the Dominions might consider preference exclusively a measure of interImperial support, it may have a disas trous effect, on American exports, since an Imperial preference treaty may conceivably create a 'high tariff wall through out the Empire, effectively barring a largo part of American exportations.