Imperial Preference

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 90, 21 August 1923, Page 2

Imperial Preference

TRADE WITH THE EMPIRE. MR MASSEY'S ATTITUDE. Per Press Association. Wellington, August 2i>. In tho House to-day, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilforcl) asked the Premier if he would male a statement to the House as to nis attitude on tho subject of Imperial preference at the, Economic Confcence.

Mr said his attitude on Imperial preference was well known both in the House and in the country, and he had moved in this direction at previous conferences., Om direction in which preference inighi bo given was, he thought, in subs. He s to shipping to enable our pro ; uce-s to got foodstuffs, wool, G i" to the British markets cheaply. Th"hole question was a difficult' one and he was not disposed to add tc the difficulties of the British Govern ment by saying more at present. Hbelieved a change of feeling was coming over the people of Britain on the subject of taxation on food, bin it was not wise to raise difficult issues and run the risk of tho who!/. of the poposals being turned down as they were in Chamberlain's day.

A general meeting of members o L ' the Dimerlin Chamber of Gommew to-night adopted the following resolvition: "In view of Mr Massey's departure to the Imperial Coriferen-v. 'hi s chamber is in full sympathy with the idea of tra<hj within the EJmnire. and would welcome any preference which the Mother Country would sec her way to give to the exports of the Dominion, but recognises thai the question i s one affecting each portion of tho Bmnire, and recommends the Prime Minister to confo> with representatives of the other Dominions in order to see if some agreement can be come to, and a proposal as to Etapire trade itsolf laid before the Imperial Economic Council, as representing the views of the Empire outside Great Britain."