EMPIRE TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19015, 10 November 1923, Page 9

EMPIRE TRADE

SEGUE INC ITS DEVELOPMENT. CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS GREATER CO-OPERATION URGED. Pr«u Association —B» Velepraph -Copyright LONDON, November 3. The Economic Conference unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming its sense of the importance of overseas settlement. It also passed a resolution reaffirming ihe principle that in all Government contracts preference should be given to goods produced in the Empire, and that as far as practicable the materials used in carrying out the contracts should be Empire products. The Conference passed a further resolution urging the British Government to circulate up-to-date information of the progress of the Burney airship proposals, and to prepare a draft of procedure designed to secure a more rapid and extensive interchange of information in regard to civilian aeronautics, with a view to general adoption by the Empire Governments. .. The Conference considered the I ood Materials Committee’s report, which decided that the method proposed—firstly, subsidies; secondly, import licenses; and thirdly, stabilisation of prices—were all impracticable, as the difficulties for any Government interfering in trade were almost insurmountable. —Reuter. AUSTRALIA’S POLICY. DEFINED BY MR BRUCE. LONDON, November B. At the Economic Conference Mr Bruce emphasised the fact that he did not want the impression to get abroad that Australia was in difficulties, and that he was trying to grab something. On the contrary, Australia was one of the fortunate countries. It was in no particular trouble, and was able to go on comfortably, but he believed that its future ray within "the Empire. While helping the Empire they were also helping themselves to an even greater extent. He moved a reaffirmation of the 1917 resolution.— Reuter. The resolution of the 1917 Conference asserted irr principle “that each part of the Empire shall give specially favourable treatment and facilities to the produce and manufacturers of other parts of the Empire.” PREFERENCE ON WINES. LONDON, November 8. The Economic Conference has agreed to the British proposal to* double the existing preference on Empire-grown wines not exceeding SOdeg strength, making the tax on Empire wines Ids per gallon and on -foreign 6s per gallon.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE WIRELESS IMPASSE. LITTLE HOPE OF IMMEDIATE SOLUTION. LONDON, November 8. (Received Nov. 9, at 9 p.m.) The Imperial Conference has completed its report and its labours. The Economic Conference j will tomorrow again have the wireless question before it, but the impasse between the Post Office and the Marconi Company continues, and it looks as if Mr Bruce will have to continue to negotiate apart from the Conference in order to secure direct communication. It is understood that he has had practically no support from either Canada or South Africa, who are quite content with the present wireless position. It would Vhus appear as if Mr Bruce will have to deal with Mr Marconi instead of the British Post Office to secure his object. On the subject of foreign affairs, Mr Bruce is satisfied with the arrangements made for keeping the dominions in touch with the march of events. It is understood that the Conference skated on the question of an Imperial secretariat, it being felt that it would involve a constitutional discussion which at the present moment would be inopportune and might create unnecessary difficulties. In the matter of forego affairs, a secretariat oonld be of no real value because the secrecy aimed at in such matters might run some additional risk. —A. and N.Z. Cable. END OF CONFERENCES. REPORTS EXPECTED TO-DAY. LONDON, November 8. The Imperial Conference has finished, and the Economic Conference will concludes to-morrow. It is expected that full reports will be issued on Saturday.— Reuter.