IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20678, 25 September 1930, Page 11

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

INTEREST IN ENGLAND. VENUE OF FIRST MEETING. CHANGE TO FOREIGN OFFICE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received September 24. 10.5 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 24. It has been learned that it was suddenly decided last evening to open the Imperial Conference at the Foreign Office, instead of at No. 10, Downing Street, the homo of the Prime Minister. This departure from precedent caused a surprise, because the conference has always been opened in the historic Cabinet Room, into which have been admitted only members of the Cabinet and Dominion delegates. It is thought that the Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, has changed the venue because he desires a spectacular opening, like that of the London Naval Conference. The Imperial Conference is always welcome, says the Daily Telegraph. The British people delight in having the Dominions' Prime Ministers on British soil. The country expects authoritative pronouncements on such subjects as Imperial economics and Imperial trade. Whatever be British public opinion, it is eagerly awaiting a sign of a conception of Empire trade which shall start new currents and strengthen those which have grown weak. It is to be hoped that the Government will formally abandon its opposition to preference, which still is the most promising basis for the development of Imperial trade, because it is still the cardinal principle of Dominion tariffs.-