INTER-IMPERIAL TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21578, 25 February 1932, Page 14

INTER-IMPERIAL TRADE

THE ECONOMIC CONFERENCE PREPARATION OF NEW ZEALAND’S case; {From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, February 24. The appointment of a special Cabinet Committee to consider the collection of evidence for the presentation of New ' Zealand’s case to-the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa in July was announced by the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) to-night. The Prime Minister said that ever since Mr Downie Stewart’s return from Honolulu the Customs Department had been collecting all the available information on tariff problems, and this would be placed before Cabinet at an early date. The, effect of the existing \ preferences in various parts of the Empire had also received attention, and the possibility of New Zealand granting further concessions to assist Empire industries had been discussed, necessitating inquiries within New Zealand and abroad. “It will be obvious,” Mr Forbes said, “that the assembling of the necessary data must take some time, but the Gov- * eminent will soon be in a position to make a general, survey of the whole posi-. tion. As an integral portion of the Government’s intentions, the Chambers, of Commerce, the Manufacturers’ Association, the Farmers’ Union, the various Control Boards, and any other bodies, as well as members of the public, will be invited to make , any representations or suggestions and the fullest possible consideration will be given to every aspect of the problems to be solved. “The Government fully recognises the importance of the conference,” proceeded Mr Forbes; “ and will leave no stone unturned to collect all the necessary information and formulate a definite and progressive policy. For this purpose a Cabinet Committee, consisting of the Prime Minister, Mr Coates, Mr Stewart, and Mr Masters has been set up, charged with the responsibility of sifting all the available information and preparing for Cabinet consideration an outline of the policy that will best meet the needs of New Zealand, having regard to the wider interests of inter-imperial 1 trade. The Government is already in consultation with the Trade 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,” added Mr Forbes, “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 tariffs. The public may rely upon the New Zealand Government being en- 1 tirely ready for the conference. The greatest care will be observed in providing for due representation of this - Dominion with a constructive pojiiiy f based on fully and carefully prepared data.”