IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17408, 5 November 1930, Page 11

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

BRITISH RETICENCE a PROPOSED WHEAT QUOTA All,* SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Relieved Nov. 5, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 4. Britain’s attitude on the wheat quota is still awaited, ! hough Canada ami Australia last week had every reason to believe that the figures previously cabled met -Britain’s views. Jl ran be said that both Canada and Australia asked for a percentage of something oven- (!(), obviously as a bargaining margin, while Britain talked a round the figure of 50. Jlope lias not been abandoned that a compromise of 55 would be accepted. Forecasts from reliable quarters from the beginning of the conference have been that the only economic result would lie the wheat quota and the creation of an economic secretariat, but it is understood that the secretariat idea will be rejected. There is a strong, but not unanimous Dominions’ feeling, against the creation of another permanent body involving a high-salaried executve. It was argued that there were suflieent experts on the Impend Economic Committee and the Empire Marketing Board to divide between them a constant watch on the Empire’s economic affairs. This view is most likely to prevail. Previous hopes of the Civil Aviation Committee that the Anglo-Afriean regular air mail service would spoil be followed by an extension of the Indian service to Australia received little encouragement. It is understood that the Australan delegates indicated that owing to the present financial stress there was little hope of Australia taking immediate action. Something may arise after the conference from a new and more modest proposal, omitting the present idea of a costly subsidy. The chief hope at present is that something will be done 1o link Karachi and Colombo by air, thus saving 1.0 days in transit to Australia.