OTTAWA CONFERENCE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 500, 23 July 1932, Page 6

OTTAWA CONFERENCE

THE OPENING SCENE THE PRINCIPAL SPEECH OTTAWA, July 21, -The city’s business was stopped as the silver lie), meted, red-tunickert Horse Guards escorted Lord Besslycrough to Parliament House, a salute of guns re sounding and a carillon heralding his arrival. After the solemn ceremony at the Unknown Soldier's grave Lord Basshorough, Air. Bennett midi an aide de camp walked the h-nmh of (he chamber, arc lights I r Die pin-, (ographers defying - suT'ch! through the calliednil-lil;-- w>- >ws.

Tile four hundred seats on the . e of the House were filled by (he dele. Sates '"d their advisers and staffs, and ill-' naileries were, crowded by wo mo u. Air. L, (’. M. S. Amcry. formerly a leader of a similar Empire garhering, bad an obscure') ’seat in the gallery above the clock, Mr. Bald. ■ win and Mr. Neville Chamberlain occupied twin seats in the Leader of the Opposition’s desk, their neigh, hours being Mr. J. H. Thomas and Lord Hailsham. then Sir Phillip (Tinliffe.Lister, Air, Waiter Rnnciimin, Sir John Oilmonr, Mr, Coates. Air. Stewart and Mr. Sean O’Kelly. The last, named two (Mr. Stewart having a physical disability) in the same desk gave rise (r> an unfortunate temporary belief in some quarters that the Free State representatives were carrying out a half-expected threat to show “indifference” to the Throne when the House rose in token of its approval of the despatch of a loyal message to His Majesty. Air. O’Kelly hesitated for a moment, on seeing in’s companion, who owing to his infirmity remained sealed but bowed his head. Mr, O’Kelly suddenly appreciated the position and stood erect with his colleagues, with were already on their feet. Later when the King’s reply was received Mr. O’Kelly stood instantly. Another unfortunate occurrence was the breakdown (cj; the broadcasts ing apparatus during Mr. O’Kelly’s speech, suggesting to listeners that he had possibly embarked on an unpatriotic utterance and had been ruthlessly censored, Mr. Emerson (Newfoundland) likewise missed the broadcast. The Australian delegates, who arrived in top hats, had seats on the Government side below the gangway The assemblage sat uncovered, except the two Indians, who wore purple fez and white turban. Mr. Borden Perley occupied the Prime Minis, tor’s desk. The principal speech at tonight’s dinner was by Mr, Havenga (South Africa). He ((row attention) to 'the fact that 25 years ago South Africa was warring with the Empire—now it was in negotiation}, harmoniously to jts mutual advantage. Mr. O’Kelly addressed the gathering in Gaelic, English and French and made one of the most notable patriotic speeches. i The conference was resumed pri-1 vately this afternoon. It was decided to appoint live committees to exam, ine (1) trade within the Empire, (2) Customs administration, CO foreign treaties, involving Britain’s favoured nation agreements, (T) monetary and financial questions, (5), methods of economic and industrial co-operation. The last named committee’s dis. emissions are expected To result in the establishment of an Empire economic general staff, as recoin- . mended in 1930 by the Federation of British Industries and Trades Union Council, ) probab,ly\ absorbing the : Imperial Economic Committee and

Empire Marketing Board. Mr. Bruce while at the 1926 Conference actively

sponsored the idea of industrial co. operation, and so impressed Mr. Baldwin that he made it a feature of his policy speeches. The latest; Anglo. Canadian iron, steel and leather agreements lead to the hope that Canada will give sub-

stantial backing, and the idea may be developed during the Confer, ence. The full delegations will meet tomorrow to appoint the personnel of the committees and will then adjourn to enable the leaders of the delegations to ocnfer on questions of high policy. The first committee will as. sernhle tomorrow afternoon 10 frame a schedule of commodities in which individual Dominions are interested, and will adjourn to enable each country to formulate a report disclosing its precise plans.

The Canadian Government enter

tained the delegates and a thousand prominent citizens at a bauquet at the Chateau Laurier. Two hundred newspapermen were entertained at dinner at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club Mr. Manion, Minister of Railways, presided. Mr. Gwynne, editor of the Morning Post, responded.

Mr. Bruce and Mr. Coates have ar ranged an opportunity to deliver “business” speeches at tomorrow’s plenary session, giving details oi their preference plans. LONDON, Friday. Newspaper editorials ;are unanimous that the Ottawa Conference has opened ans. piciiousjy. Canada receives most of the limelight from the headlines ana the comment, no doubt because of Mr. Bennett’s; offer, which the Press agrees deserves the closest consideration. The speeches word heard splendidly over the wireless, except Mr. O’Kelly’s, which was interrupted in Canada. The Daily Herald says: , “Mr. Bald, win’s reference to lowering ratlun than, raising the tariff barriers are chill words for the Amerys and Page Crofts, hut are sound economies and sound sense. It remains to be seen hew far the conference will square his precepts with his practice.” Tile Daily Express on a. front page streamer says: “Canada makes down, right offer; Mr. Beimel t sets, I lie pace for the conference at one stroke.” Tile Times has a. heading, “Good Beginning;,” and says the speeches “Are definite and businesslike. They disclosed a measure of common agreement sufficient to dispel any fear of failure.” The editorial quietes extensively the utterances of Messrs. Bruce and Coates.