EMPIRE TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23203, 29 May 1937, Page 13

EMPIRE TRADE

OTTAWA AGREEMENTS PROPOSAL FOR REVISION DECISION OF CONFERENCE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, May 27. It was decided at the Imperial Conference to-day that all matters arising from Ottawa will not be discussed at the conference, but will be subject to bilateral conversations. The Australian Associated Press political correspondent learns that it was also decided that there would be no immediate English-Australian discussions concerning revision of Ottawa. The talks between England and New Zealand, which were commenced some months ago by Mr Nash, are being continued, while England-South Africa conversations to revise the Ottawa agreement will be commenced in a few days. A new agreement between England and Canada was recently concluded. Thus Ottawa virtually disappears from the Imperial Conference. The decision regarding Ottawa was reached when the heads of delegations held their first meeting in connection with economic questions, Mr Baldwin presiding for the last time. He will be automatically succeeded by Mr Chamberlain when he assumes the Premiership to-morrow. The conference first decided to include representatives of Southern Rhodesia and Burma in Sir Thomas Inskip's War Materials Supply Committee. It then commenced a general review of Empire trade. Mr Runciman, in a very comprehensive statement, traced developments in interimperial trade since Ottawa, and dealt with Britain's various foreign trade treaties. Mr Runciman also outlined America's desire for the dominions to make sacrifices under Ottawa. It is understood, however, that discussions between Britain and the dominions regarding this matter will not immediately be initiated within the conference, but will be the subject of informal talks between Britain and each of the dominions.

At the conclusion of to-day's meeting the dominion Prime Ministers bade farewell to Mr Baldwin in the Cabinet room at Downing street, and expressed great regret that this was the last occasion on which he would preside at an Imperial Conference. Reference was also made to the great part he played at the 1923 and 1936 Imperial Conferences, and those present conveyed to him good wishes from all delegations for the future. They asked him to copvey to Mrs Baldwin a special message of thanks for her great contribution to the social side of the conferences. Mr Baldwin thanked the delegates, and expressed implicit faith in the future of the Empire and confidence in the success of the present conference. The Prime Ministers also symgathetically referred to Mr Mac•onald's imminent retirement.

PACIFIC SUB-COMMITTEE LONDON, May 27. The Pacific Sub-committee of the Imperial Conference held a further meeting this afternoon, practically the whole time being occupied in an examination of the operational costs in connection with a scheme to modernise the transpacific service and compete with the Matson Line. AN ADJOURNMENT (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, May 27. The third meeting of the Subcommittee on Shipping Questions was held this afternoon under the chairmanship of Mr Nash. The subcommittee again had under discussion the question of United States ships in the Tasman Sea, and of British liner communication across the Pacific. The meeting adjourned until Monday.