EMPIRE TRADE

Otago Witness, Issue 3954, 24 December 1929, Page 28

EMPIRE TRADE

METHODS OF PROMOTING. LEAG UE'S RECOMMENDATION. LONDON, December 17. . The. Executive Committee of the British Empire League unanimously decided that in view of the forthcoming Imperial Conference it was most undesirable that the Imperial Government should conclude any reciprocal commercial treaty with any- foreign country or make a declaration of foreign policy likely to hamper the freest examination of all available methods of further promoting Em pire trade relations. The resolution added that the Imperial Government should be urged to negotiate with the dominions for separate reciprocal commercial agreements for a period of years.

SIR JAMES PARR'S MISSION. LONDON, L>ecember 17. The chief interest in the Empire League's farewell luncheon to Sir James Parr was his personal announcement that the relinquishment of the High Commissionership would not mean the end of his zeal and activity for the Empire. “ I may confess,” he said, “ that I have pledged myself to give my time and energies to the furtherance of the great cause of Empire Freetrade, known as Freetrade within the Empire. It has its difficulties, but I am convinced that they are not insuperable. The thing can be done, and I propose to help it all I can. I am sure that the maintenance of the Empire largely depends on closer and freecommercial relations between the Mother Land and the dominions and the colonies. We have not yet scratched the surface of the Empire's immense potentialities.” “ I think we fail lamentably to make the best use of that great estate which our forefathers bequeathed to us. I think I can best serve New Zealand and you sorely-tried industrialists by staying in the heart of the Empire and devoting myself to the splendid cause of stabilising the wonderful Commonwealth of British nations. I shall, next year, engage active'y in the work of education and propaganda, which I shall continue till the goal is won.” Lord Islington (ex-Governor of New Zealand, who presided, quoted a friend's remark that Sir James Parr was the best Imperial bagman who had ever come to London. He added that Sir James Parr’s career was a brilliant one, whether regarded in a civic or a political light, or finally in Imperial activities. Mr L. S. Amery (ex-Secretary of State for the Dominions), who was also present, remarked that seldom was there such a modest disposition combined with such successful bagtnanship. Amongst the other guests were Lord Bledisloe (Governor-General designate of New Zealand), Lord Clarendon, Lord Inchcape, and all the Agents-general.

LONDON, December 18. Sir James Parr, in the course of a statement, said he had intended in a few days to embark on a rush visit to New Zealand, where he would spend a fortnight seeing his friends. Unfortu nately his associates in the Empire trade movement were most anxious for him to begin his new mission in March, so he must therefore delay his return to New Zealand until the end of 1930. The promoters had asked him to be one of the chief spokesmen and organisers, and to undertake secretarial duties, which would include considerable speechmaking in the provinces. He had accepted the appointment largely because he felt that he could at present do better work in Britain for New Zealand and her great primary industries than he could there. When he returned to New Zealand he hoped to engage in some useful service for the country. Sir James Parr's friends arc wondering whether his new activities will lead to his entrance into British politics. THE MARKETING BOARD. LONDON. December 18. When asked in the House of Commons if the Empire Marketing Board would refrain from giving publicity to goods from those dominions which restricted the imports of British manufacturers, Air W. Lunn (LTnder-secretary for the Dominions) said the principles on which the board worked were often specified. It would be inconsistent with its policy.

EMPIRE ECONOMIC UNION. LONDON, December 19. The Times announces the formation of an Empire economic union to investigate problems affecting Empire trade and advocate all methods calculated to promote development of the Empire's industries and resources. Lord Melchett is president, Lord Lloyd chairman, Lord Barnby and Sir Benjamen Morgan vice-chairmen, and Mr F. C. Goodenough treasurer. The executive includes Mr L. S. Amery, Lord Illingworth, Sir Herbert Austin, Sir Robert Hadfield, Sir Hugo Hirst, and Sir William Larke. The union will not undertake propaganda work itself, but will approach similar bodies of industrialists throughout the Empire with a view to seeing how far an agreement can be arranged between manufacturers and producers.