EMPIRE TRADE PLAN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17452, 29 December 1930, Page 8

EMPIRE TRADE PLAN

NO POLITICS AN EXPERIMENTAL PERIOD \ LONDON, December 17. Mr. S. M. Bruce once suggested that Empire trade needed a five-year plan and the British Government is now preparing something in the nature of a three or five-year plan for the Ottawa Conference, at which it is proposed to lift the discussions from the political arena. It is pointed out that, despite divergences at the recent conference, there was unanimity on the main question of high policy, namely a willingness that Britain and the Dominions should purchase more widely from each other, provided a suitable system could be found. On this basis, the British Government intends to work, and the latest development is the initialing of preparations among various Government departmental experts. .Quito apart from any political considerations, they have been instructed to investigate thoroughly the whole question of Empire trade on a practical working basis, involving quotas, bulk purchase and import boards, as applied to all commodities. CONSULT DOMINIONS.

It is intended to consult the Dominions continuously, and _ also thq Imperial. Economic Committee, on which the Dominions arc represented. it; is anticipated that the preparatory work will extend into the autumn of *1931, and it lias been made clear that the British Government is not likely to go to Ottawa until its preparations are so complete that the conference will have a minimum clianco of failure. _ ' Bucli preparations aim at. an Imperial trade arrangement, which would operate for a definite experimental period of throe or five years, and be immune to a change of Governments, either here or in the Dominions.