KING'S JUBILEE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22505, 25 February 1935, Page 7

KING'S JUBILEE

MR FORBES TO VISIT LONDON DISCUSSION OF TRADE PROBLEMS (From Odr Parliamentary RepobteiiJ WELLINGTON, February 23. As the result of a decision made at a meeting of the Cabinet to-day, the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) will travel to London to represent New Zealand at the King's silver jubilee celebrations. He will be accompanied by Mrs Forbes, and it is possible that another Minister will also make the journey. Mr Forbes said to-day that he would probably leave for England about the end of March so that he could be in London'in time for the beginning of the celebrations early in May. He would probably travel by the Vancouver and Canadian route. . The Prime Minister will take advantage of the visit to London to discuss questions of mutual interest to Great Britain and New Zealand. If the meat restriction problem is not solved by then he may be accompanied by another Minister and an advisory staff, so that the whole matter can be fully discussed and brought to some degree of finality. It has been suggested that the Prime Ministers of the various dominions should meet in London at a round-table conference, and that the King's jubilee provides a good opportunity for a formal Imperial Conference. Mr Forbes said today that such a conference had not been definitely arranged, but that the Imperial Ministers in London would certainly hold informal discussions. Matters of,trade, including the meat and dairy supply problems, would probably be in the forefront. Shipping subsidies might be discussed, and political.matters such as the relationship of Britain to the dominions might be considered. Mr Forbes indicated that there was no political significance behind his visit to England. New Zealand was not thinking of the possibility of the Empire being involved in another war Or anything like that. He was merely goins: to London because the Government considered it advisable and desirable that the Dominion should be represented by her Prime Minister. The Government would consider later whether he should be accompanied by another member of the Cabinet. .. _ . ... . . The departure of the Prime Minister before the end of March makes it fairly certain that the present session: of Parliament will close not later than the third week in March. Mr Forbes agreed today that the session was not expected to last any longer than that. He was asked if his absence, in England would, mean that the normal annual session would be postponed until his return, but aaid that the point had not yet been considered.