OTTAWA CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 10

OTTAWA CONFERENCE.

QUESTION OF DELEGATION. HON. W. D. STEWART MAY GO, FRAMING DOMINION'S POLICY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SrECfAL REPORTER,] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. An early statement regarding the representations to bo made on behalf of New Zealand at the Empire Economic Conference at Ottawa in July will be made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. In view of the importance of the conference, it is considered possible that the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, will represent New Zealand, but the final decision on that point may be deferred until it is seen whether he can conveniently leavo the Dominion, in view of the many tasks requiring his urgent attention hero. It is practically certain that Dr. G. Craig, Comptroller of Customs, will be in the delegation. Discussing the conference in general terms to-day, Mr. Forbes said the Dominion, in accordance with its traditional practice regarding inter-Empire affairs, would not go to the conference with any desire to bargain unduly with Great Britain. He considered any bickering over tariff concessions should be avoided at all costs and the New Zealand delegation would bear that studiously in mind. Mr. Forbes said New Zealand had already gone far in the direction of giving tariff concessions to Britain, for the Government's policy had been to foster interEmpire trade as much as possible. Before leaving for the last Imperial Conference, Mr, Forbes said publicly that New Zealand would not take any demands to the conference, and that it would be prepared to assist in whatever way was possible. At Ottawa, hawever, it is expected the Dominions will all have specific cases to present, and already information is being collected to assist in the preparation of New Zealand's representations.