OTTAWA AGREEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17944, 23 November 1932, Page 11

OTTAWA AGREEMENTS

GIVING ROYAL ASSENT THE TRADITIONAL CEREMONY LONDON, Ifdv. 15. “What’s this they’re passing?” - was tho idle query of bystanders when Black Rod led a party of leading Ministers and members of the House, of Commons from the Commons to , the Lords .this, afternoon, in the traditional ceremony of obtaining- the Royal assent to the Ottawa agreements.. . With so little pomp was one of tho most historic measures of Imperial legislation passed into low. Probably nobody in England, excepting those immediately associated with the preparation of the final drafts, remembered that it will be 30 years •on December 16 next since tho late Mr. Joseph Chamberlain “startled friends and foes alike by bis scheme for preferential treatment of colonial imports and protection for native manu-' factures.” ;.

Comparatively few members of tho House of Commons were in the House when the summons came from the Loyds, T hey had to jog their memory to, realise tho significance of the occasion. ...

The final act was the Treasury issuing an order under the bill, directing the operation of the provisions forthwith, with specified exceptions. DIRECT CONSIGNMENT QUESTION

. Technical details in the Ottawa agreements, are causing friction between the Dominions . and commercial departments of the Board of Trade.

Australian wheat exporters are hit by a regulation whereby Australian goods must be consigned direct to England in order to enjoy the tariff preferences. As wheat ships usually call at intermediate ports for orders, it is not clear whether their cargoes will, in such circumstances be eligible for preferences.

The trade considers tho uncertainty to ho worse than the definite duty imposed on foreigners, since merchants will not incur commitments until they know where they stand.

Australia Houso has protested, and the Board of Trade is conferring to find a workable -solution.