EMPIRE TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20905, 20 December 1929, Page 11

EMPIRE TRADE

METHODS OF PROMOTING,

LEAGUE’S RECOMMENDATION.

(United Press Association.) (By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright.)

LONDON, December 17.

The Executive Committee of the British Empire League unanimously decided that in view of the forthcoming Imperial Conference it was moat undesirable that the Imperial Government should conclude any reciprocal commercial treaty with any foreign country or make a declaration of foreign policy likely to hamper the freest examination of all available methods of further promoting Em pire trade relations.

The resolution added that the Imperial Government should be urged to negotiate with the dominions for separate reciprocal commercial agreements for a period of years. SIR JAMES PARR’S MISSION. LONDON, December 18. Sir James Parr, in the course of a statement, said he had intended in a few days to embark on a rush visit to New Zealand, where he would spend a fortnight seeing his friends. Unfortunately his associates in the Empire trade movement were most anxious for him to begin his new mission in March, so he must therefore delay his return to New Zealand until the end of 1930. The promoters had asked him to be one of the chief spokesmen and organisers, and to undertake secretarial duties, which would include considerable speechmaking in the provinces. He had accepted the appointment largely because he felt that he could at present do better work in Britain for New Zealand and her great primary industries than he could there. When he returned to New Zealand he hoped to engage in some useful service for the country. Sir James Parr’s friends are wondering whether his new activities will lead to his entrance -into British politics.

THE MARKETING BOARD,

PUBLICITY TO GOODS,

LONDON, December 18,

When asked in the House of Commons if the Empire Marketing Board would refrain from giving publicity to goods from those dominions which restricted the imports' of British manufacturers, Mr W. Lunn (Under-secretary for the Dominions) said the principles on which the board worked were often specified. It would be inconsistent with its policy.

EMPIRE.ECONOMIC UNION.

FORMATION IN BRITAIN.

LONDON, December 19.

(Received Dec. 20, at 0.30 a.m.) The Times announces the fomation of an Empire economic union to investigate problems affecting Empire trade and advocate all methods calculated to promote development of the Empire’s industries and resources. Lord Melchett is president, Lord Lloyd chairman, Lord Baruby and Sir Bcnjamen Morgan vice-chairmen, and Mr F. C. Qoodenougb treasurer. The executive includes Mr L. S. Amery, Lord Illingworth, Sir Herbert Austin, Sir Robert Hadfleld, Sir Hugo Hirst, and Sir William Larke.

The union will not undertake propaganda work itself, but will approach similar bodies of industrialists throughout the Empire with a view to seeing hoxV far an agreement can be arranged between manufacturers and producers.