LIBERALS AND THE EMPIRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3655, 1 April 1924, Page 44

LIBERALS AND THE EMPIRE.

DR W. A. CIIAPPLE’S OFFICE. (From Otj.r Own Correspondent.) LONDON, February 5. Dr W. A. Chappie, M.P., has been appointed convener of the Liberal Imperial and Colonial Policy Group in the House ot Commons. It is hoped, Dr Chappie tells me, that a policy of Empire development that does not involve the taxation of the food of British workers, but will ensure dominion prosperity, and will correct the idea that Liberal policy is indifferent to the dominions and colonies, will be formulated by the Liberal Party. Before the fall of the Conservative Government there were certain questions set* down in Dr Chappie’s name for presentation in the House on February 12. Answers were hoped for from the late Government, but Labour will now have the duty of giving the required information. Dr Chappie is to ask the President of the Beard of Trade whether any experimental investigation is taking place in order to ascertain whether beef imported from Australis and New Zealand can be shipped in a chilled instead of a frozen condition. He will ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his Majesty’s commercial diplomatic officers in foreign countries have been given any instructions to hold themselves at the service of the dominions, the colonies, and India in any need that might arise within their competence to deal with. AN IMPORTANT SUGGESTION. Dr Chappie is to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view nf the fact that many recent visitors to Britain from our dominions and colonies chose to shorten their sojourn here because of their liability to British income taxation upon their colonial incomes after the expiry of six months, he will take such steps as may be necessary to extend the period of immunity from British taxes in order to encourage visitors to the coming Exhibition from the distant parts of the Empire to make a longer stay. The President of the Board of Education, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, will be asked whether any steps have been taken to extend to South Africa. Australia, and New Zealand the same privileges with regard to the importation of stock into the United Kingdom as those recently extended to Canada.

Finally, Dr Chappie will ask the Prime Minister whether anv steps have been taken to set up the Imperial Economic Committee recommended by the Imperial Eeonomio Conference.