EMPIRE TRADE

Southland Times, Issue 21579, 17 December 1931, Page 7

EMPIRE TRADE

RECIPROCAL TREATIES OBJECTIVE OF IMPERIAL CONFERENCE BRITAIN’S CHANGED VIEWPOINT (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) Ottawa, December 15. The Prime Minister, Mr R. B. Bennett, states that reciprocal trade agreements between different ports of the British Empire with the prospect of stability of trade will be the aim of the coming Imperial Economic Conference. He said he had observed in England evidence of a great change in the economic viewpoint as compared with a year ago. There was a realization manifested of the great territory and resources of the Dominions, but Britain appreciated that trade agreements must be mutually advantageous to the contracting parties. There is a feeling in unofficial circles here that the result of the Australian general election may be a factor in determining the date of the conference. WHEAT QUOTA SYSTEM PROBABLE PERCENTAGES. London, December 15. The trade newspaper The Miller says the first dominion wheat quota will be 55 per cent, and the Home quota 15 per cent., leaving 30 per cent, for the rest of the world. The price of home-grown next season will be between 45/— and 50/— per quarter. The Daily Express lobbyist says the Government contemplates establishing a wheat board in connection with the Home and dominions’ quota. This is part of confidential proposals made with a view to securing the millers’ co-operation, and the original scheme must be drastically revised before the millers can operate it. MR BENNETTS FIGURES. (Rec. 7 p.m.) Ottawa, December 15. The wheat quota under consideration by the British Government provides for 15 per cent, of wheat grown tn Great Birtain, 70 per cent, grown in other parts of the Empire and 15 per cent, of foreign grown, according to figures given by the Primo Minister, Mr R. B. Bennett, in an interview to-day following his return from London.