THE TIES OF EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18705, 10 May 1924, Page 11

THE TIES OF EMPIRE.

RELATIONS. WITH.' CANADA. Y *'y:i:'■■■ .■■■' ■• -ws . y "- 4 : [ i UNITED STATES ATTRACTION. j*'" • I -J",' *'. V~i J> J L ■I -' ~7" : . "SERIOUS PROBLEMS AHEAD" By Telegraph Press Association— (Received - 7.45 ; p.m.) Pun. - ' LONDON. May S. ; 'A remark by the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Sir . James Allen, that the position of Canada; was delicate has aroused intense interest. / "The time has come for plain-speaking by all who have the best interests of the Empire at heart," said Sir James". "It seems to me there are very serious problems ahead. for the Empire, especially regarding Canada, where • Western farmers are in a state of unrest. .Now that the Imperial Conference proposals are likely to be rejected, the position of Mr. Mackenzie ' King, Prime Minister, is' much more delicate. I do not think there is any possibility of Canada seceding from the Empire. All the same, however, we must recognise her position as the neighbour of ? a great English-speaking people and the attractions that that .neighbour offers. That is why I think the position delicate. Britain should realise her relation' to the Dominions, recognising' that her action in refusing to accept the Imperial Conference proposals may give a serious blow to Empire unity."' ! labour's SPECIAL study. i ! '' ' v; ; { PARLIAMENTARY BODY, ! ; \- r ./. .t ■" ■ »- • V v :v'i' ' Australian and "N.Z. Cable Association. I (Herd. 5.5 p.m.) '* '• - - LONDON,> May 9. | Twenty Labour members of the House ■of Commons, including Mr. :G. Lansbury, ! member • for Poplar, have organised a group for . the - special , study of Empire affairs, under the title of the Labour. Commonwealth. The group, will consider questions relating to the Dominions and mandated i- territories, and the welfare of native races. It > will stress the importance; of visiting the Dominions and receiving Dominion visitors. ' if SOUTH AFRICA'S POSITION. ATTITUDE OF NATIONALISTS. Australian and N.Z. 1 Cabla Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) CAPETOWN. May .8. Much surprise has been caused by the announcement that Sir Frederick Moor, a former Premier of Natal, has . gone over to the Nationalists. Mr. Charles Malan, a prominent Nationalist leader, speaking at Strand, stated that he would give a ■ pledge, on behalf of the leaders . of, the | party, that ; secession would come only j with the full confidence >of the English : and Dutch-speaking sections of the people. i Addressing' a meeting at "Victoria West, | General Hertzog denied that;'any undertaking had ever been given that secession propaganda should cease. - The, only -undertaking was that during the period of co : operation" of the Nationalist and Labour Parties no steps would be taken in Parliament to get a Republic. > . - .. j BANK ; EXCHANGE . RATES. NEED : FOR ADJUSTMENT. A. and N.Z. •' : LONDON, May;*. ; "The Bradford "Chamber will' ' propose at' the annual meeting 'of the' Association of : British ;• Chambers 6f Commerce on May 21 that as the ; presentrate; of.= exchange between Great Britain, ' Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and vice versa, is; a great handicap tp. trade in : ,: those . countries, all the , Governments concerned should give serious consideration ; to; the matter with a view to a more favourable rate being established. The chamber . will also urge that the recommendation of the Imperial Conference on this subject -be adopted ; without delay. . . . . f ■ ' - -The Imperial, ; Economic Conference adopted the following - resolutions,! sub- ; mitted by " the Committee 'On Inter-Im-perial v Exchanges :—(I) That, ' arifeing as - they do from the ■ suspension of ; an- effective ; gold standard -the • difficulties of Inter-Imperial exchange will disappear when the currencies of Great; Britain and the; Dominions affected;;; are -again, mad e convertible into gold; (2) That it is neither; necessary : nor ; to adopt; complicated plans ' for a new instrument of credit,, such as Empire Currency Bills; which involve ; difficult , and disputi able v constitutional . and; financial quesj tions,j (3) that where difficulties have arisen in, regard to exchange between' certain parts of ;* the Empire and between such $ parts and the United ~. Kingdom— - fa) the position could be , ameliorated if the note-issuing authorities were;;- to accumulate sterling assets and ;to undertake jto exchange their local; currencies for sterling and vice versa; {b) this measure ' might be further developed ; and assisted by the creation of central banks and ,; by mutual; co-operation' ■as recommended by, the Genoa Conference; " (c) :in some ,cases the bank, charges for > buying and soiling sterling appear to- be unduly; high and should be capable of reduction. , " 1 >; •S