EMPIRE FREE TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20620, 19 July 1930, Page 11

EMPIRE FREE TRADE.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

BAN ON DISCUSSION.

LABOUR'S DETERMINATION

By Telegraph --Press Association—Copyright, British Wireless. IiUOHV. July 17.

1" flio House of Lords this evening (lie Marquess of Elibank raised tlm question of the agenda at (he forthcoming Imperial Conference. lie inquired whether the Government was prepared to agree to (Ho consideration by the conference of every aspect of closer trade relationships between Britain and the rest of the Empire and wliclher it would submit to (ho conference for full discussion the policy of Empire free trade, including (ho imposition of duties on foreign foods) tiffs ?

Lord Arnold, in replying for tho Government, said the details of the subjects for discussion at the conference were under discussion with the Governments of tho Dominions. Tho final form of tho agenda had not yet been'settled, but tho Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, would make an announcement upon tho matter before tho end of the session.

x The agenda would permit of tho consideration of any proposals which might be put forward for the purpose of improving inter-Imperial trade, but it would be mado clear from the outset that the government was opposed to any new or increased taxation of foodstuffs or to any system of tariffs in Britain.

The Government would not agree to submit to tho conference a policy of Empire freo trade.

The Times says tlio Government will enter tlie Imperial Conference fettered and pledged not to advance but to rule out any solution of the economic problem which would violate t lie sacred principle of free imports. Tim Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Philip Snowden, might ho speaking the mind of the Government but certainly not that of the country. This impracticable insistence upon obsolete dogmas would not deter public opinion from demanding a constructive policy.

Tho Administrative Committee of tho National Union of Manufacturers unanimously passed a resolution welcoming the bankers' manifesto of July 4, and promising tho union's support in imposing duties against foreign imports and giving preference to Empire trade..