IMPERIAL TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21116, 25 February 1932, Page 10

IMPERIAL TRADE.

„ CONFERENCE AT OTTAWA. VIGOROUS PREPARATIONS. ACTIVITIES OF GOVERNMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A reply to the criticism that the Government was not, taking in hand with sufficient vigour preparations for the Empire Economic Conference at Ottawa was made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, to-day. " Such an impression is quite contrary to fact," declared Mr. Forbes. Indeed, ever since the return of the Hon. W. Downie Stewart from Honolulu, the Customs Department has, on his instructions, been engaged in assembling all the available information within its sphere which has any bearing on the to be discussed. This work is well in hand and will be ready for review by the Cabinet at an early date. " Consideration has also been given to the exent, and economic effects of the preferences which have already been granted both in New Zealand and in other parts of the British Empire, to the possibility of extending further assistance to Empire industries by customs tariffs and otherwise, and to many other aspects of economic problems. Ihe matters under investigation have necessitated inquiries not only in the Dominion, but abroad. " It will be obvious that the assembling of necessary data must take some time, but the Government will at an early date be in a position to make a general survey of the whole position. As an integral portion of the Government's intentions, Chambers of Commerce, manufacturers' associations, the Farmers' Union, various control boards and any other bodies, as well as members of the public, will be invited to make any representations or suggestions that may occur to them and the fullest possible consideration will be given to every aspect of the problems to be solved. " The Government fully recognises the important of the conference, and will leave no stone unturned to collect all the necessary information and to formulate a definite and progressive policy. For this purpose a Cabinet committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and the Hons. W. Downie Stewart and R. Masters, has been set up, and this committee will be charged with the responsibility of sifting all the available information and preparing for the Cabinet's consideration an outline of policy that will best meet the needs of New Zealand, having regard to the wider interests of inter-Imperial trade. " The Government is already in consultation with His Majesty's Irade Commissioner in Wellington in connection with tariff matters, while in London the High Commissioner is in touch with the British Government. Up to the present no definite agenda has been set out for the conference, but it may be assumed with confidence that the principal subject for consideration will be that of tariffs. " The public may rely upon it," he concluded, " that the New Zealand Government will be entirely ready for the conference and that the greatest care will be observed in providing for due representation of this Dominion, with a constructive policy based on fully and carefully prepared data.'