PREFERENCE QUESTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19261, 27 August 1924, Page 5

PREFERENCE QUESTION.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RESOLULUTION. ONE ECONOMIC UNIT. (From Ode Own Correspondent.) LONDON, July 14. Imperial Preference was further discussed at the- tenth Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, and five definite clauses were agreed to by a majority of the delegates. Sir Edward Davson (West, Indies) submitted a now resolution as follows: — 1. That this congress records its regret at the decision of the House of Commons not to ratify the preference resolutions of the Imperial Economic Conference. 2. That, in the interests of the Empire and its component parts the adoption of a preferential duty on Empire products within the Empire is most desirable for furthering Imperial (developments. 3. That the ideal to be aimed at is eventual freedom of trade within the Empire 4. That, in the meantime, and with a view to the end to be ultimately attained, a mutual inter-imperial preference on the most generous and liberal basis bo established by reciprocal agreement between India, the various self-governing dominions, the colonies and possessions, and the Motherland, thereby constructively cooperating in making the Empire one economic unit. 5. That should his Majesty’s Government be able to produce any schemes for developing Imperial resources, this congress urges tho early production of such schc-ies and undertakes to give favourable consideration to any plan which in its opinion may assist in the development and unity of the Empire A proposal to delete clause 1 on (ho principle that, it was inadvisable to criticise fho parliamentary representatives of this country was defeated. Colonel Cockshutt remarked that clause 2 contained the meat of the whole thing; hut he proposed that the words “nreferontial duties” should ho substituted for ‘‘preferential duty on Empire products within the Empire,”' elc.—This was agreed to, and tho clause passed. Colonel Cockshutt proposed that clause 3 should bo deleted. He said free trade within the Empire was not the ideal in Canada. Their ideal was that each part, of the Empire should develop, on its own lino?, its own resources. But, they did say that, when they had any trade to give to outside countries, it should be given to their sister dominions and tho Motherland rather than to foreigners. Canada had hopes for tho future in regard to her industrial development. Lieutenant-colonel W. N. Ponton (Belleville. Canada) said Colonel Cockshutt did not speak for the whole of Canada, and he (Colonel Ponton) supported tho insertion of the clauso in the resolution. The amendment was lost and (he clauso adopted. Clauso 4 was also passed. The wording of clause 5 was amended to read a-s follows: —“That should his Majesty’s Government produce any scheme for developing Imperial resources this congress undertakes to give, through tho British Imperial Council of Commerce, every consideration and assistance to any plan which, in its opinion, may assist, in the development and unity of tho Empire.”—The whole resolution, as altered, was then carried by a large majority.