IMPERIAL RESEARCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 13

IMPERIAL RESEARCH.

SUB-CONFERENCE OPENED. LONDON, October 2. Lord Parmoor, at the opening of the Imperial Conference Research Sub-con-ference, said that its aims were to extend the co-operation of research organisations, which were effectively utilisable in furthering the common stock of scientific knowledge and methods. It is proposed, as the result of Australia’s special request' to widen the scope so as to enable a discussion on agricultural questions. It is announced that visits have been arranged to various research stations all over Britain. BUSINESS FOR MONDAY. FULL ECONOMIC DISCUSSION. LONDON, October 2. The stage is set for a full economic discussion on Monday morning. Mr Bennett will lead off with definite proposals. ■ Mr Scullin is likely to follow with a full-throated plea for stronger preferences. New Zealand occupies an anomalous position—giving, yet not receiving preferences. Her delegation is obviously concerned about the Labour policy of free imports. They envisage the time when it may he ■ difficult for New Zealand to market the whole of her products in Britain, and are consequently* anxious for a definite plan for securing her that market, for which she will give a reciprocal quid pro quo. ' It may be taken for granted that Mr Forbes in . 'no way supports bulk purchases, which he regards as impracticable. It was Australia who bad bulk purchases included in the agenda. Mr Maloney (Federal Minister of Markets) will discuss it with Mr Addison (Tasmania) to-morrow in preparation for Monday’s debate, in which it will not be surprising if Australia finds it best to play preference as her strongest card. - SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES. EMPIRE TRIBUNAL DISCUSSED. LONDON, October 2. It is announced by the Conference Press officer that the heads of delegations in the forenoon discussed how effect could be given to the changes arising 'from the decisions of the 1920 Conference relating to the new status of the dominions, and what would be the channel of communication therewith in future. Apparently the right of the dominions to advise on appointments of Governors-Gerieral was not challenged. The matter of the moment is to devise an acceptable formula, which Lord Sankey’s Committee will endeavour to findj consequently the question of nativeborn nominees has not arisen at present as an. issue.

The Dominions Office spokesman also revealed that the beads discussed an Empire , tribunal to deal with interdominion differences, or differences between a dominion and Britain. It was regarded 'as absurd that disputes within the Empire should be subject to review by some foreign tribunal—say, Geneva ® The ■ Hague. ■ ■ Attention is being given to what shall he the position, power,, and machinery of an Empire tribunal. .

An official communique announced that, in addition to Lord Sankey’s Commitfee, the following committees have been created:—(l) Mandates; (2) Arbitration and Disarmament; (3) War Graves; (4) Defence; (5) Economic Matters Embracing Civil Aviation, Cables, and Overseas Settlement; (6) experts dealing with research And industrial standardisation. V HONOUR FOR MR FORBES. FREEDOM OF LONDON. _ _ LONDON, October 2. _Mr Forbes is to receive .the freedom of the City of London* He has already received many invitations to visit the provincial cities, including Edinburgh Glasgow; Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, -M*ull. The only tour yet accepted is that arranged by the British Empire League to Birmingham and Bristol on November 6 to 8. ECONOMIC : COMMITTEE, DISCUSSION ON PENSIONS. /T , . LONDON, October 3. (Received Oct 3, at 5.5 p.m.) The General Economic Committee held a preliminary dismission on reciprocity' in old age pensions, the standardisation of a form invoice for Customs purposes, and regulations regarding the marks of origin. POLICY OF PREFERENCE. NEW YORR TIMES EDITORIAL NEW YORK, October 2. j (Received Oct. 3, at 9 p.m.) The New York Times, in a leader on the Imperial Conference headed “Empire Business,” says: “Both Canada and Australia, with their recently adopted tariffs in their hands, are in a position to demand a very favourable bargain from Britain if the policy of preference on Imperial goods is to be pursued and enlarged,” EXTENSION OF TRADE. THE DOMINIONS’ PROPOSALS, LONDON, October 3, (Received Oct. 4, at 0,5 a.m.) “The Government intends to reject the dominions’ fiscal proposals,” says the Morning Post, “ and will offer a permanent qconomio secretariat. All agree that such machinery might be useful but when people ask for bread, a secretariat will be no more nutritious than a stone. The dominions offer something for which any other country would give its eyes out of its head—namely, to secure a favoured pasition in the most profitable and - potentially the biggest markets in the world. The Government, by rejecting this, flies into the face of Providence. It is significant that the Ministers of Australia and Canada are consulting for a, treaty of mutual commerce to confirm, improve, and extend the trade agreement of 1924. New Zealand is also an interested party. Let the reader imagine how much more fruitful such discussions might' be if Great Britain joined in and offered a secure place in her markets in exchange for a similar place in the markets, of the dominions. We believe that the only reason why the chance is being missed is that Mr Philip Snowden and Mr Lloyd George may establish some sort of coalition basis for Freetrade.”