The Daily News THURSDAY; AUGUST 14, 1930. INTER-EMPIRE TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1930, Page 10

The Daily News THURSDAY; AUGUST 14, 1930. INTER-EMPIRE TRADE.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. G. W. Forbes, who by virtue of his office will represent the Dominion at the forthcoming conference, has laid before Parliament an outline of some of the important matters that will occupy the attention of that conference. He rightly stated that such subjects as defence and foreign policy did not lend themselves to public discussion until after the fullest information, confidential and otherwise, had been supplied and considered by the conference delegates as a whole, though in relation to the Singapore Base he made it quite clear that New Zealand’s policy had in no way changed, being still convinced of

the necessity for that important safeguard, especially since the reduction in the number of cruisers in the Pacific has enhanced the need for such a base. It was just as well that Mr. Forbes, in reply to a suggestion that “all sections of the Parliaments of all the Dominions should be represented at the conference,” emphasised in no uncertain maner that the Prime Miister did not attend the conference as a representative of any one party but as the envoy of the Dominion as a whole. On this occasion the holder of that office is dependent on the will of the two other parties in the House, for their combined action could at any moment defeat the present Government. Hence he may well claim to fully represent all parties. At the same time he naturally insisted that, as in the case of his predecessors, he must to a considerable extent be allowed a free hand in dealing with subjects brought before the conference. From the present outlook so far as possibly contentious matter is concerned it is by no means easy to discern what surprises may be sprung upon the delegates, but Mr. Forbes appears to be expecting a revival of the thorny subject of Dominion status, and he devoted a considerable portion of his speech to that point. To the impartial observer there doubtless appears to be no valid reason why the ruling principle of interEmpire goodwill should not be accepted and acted upon, while at the same time a reasonable and* practical compromise should be reached on a basis acceptable to all the unit,i of the commonwealth of nations forming the Empire. Inasmuch as in respect*of important proposals that would effect any change in the status or powers of the units it is virtually obligatory upon the conference to leave the ultimate decision to the various Parliaments affected, neither Mr. Forbes nor the other delegates can bind the countries they represent to any course of action, but can only agree to place before their respective Parliaments the recorded decisions of the majority delegates, leaving the Legislatures to accept, reject, or suggest amendments. There appears to be a probability that questions of inter-imperial trade and the economic position generally will occupy the attention of the conference to a considerable extent, and Mr Forbes fully realises the importance of promoting inter-Empire unity, especially in trade. Whatever veiws ho may hold upon the subject of tariff adjustment, he does not propose to commit the Government thereon. Whether the British Socialist proposal concerning bulk purchase of primary products and stabilisation of

prices will be brought forward appears to be in doubt, but should it be discussed either on practical or on academic lines Mr. Forbes may be trusted to put before the gathering the difficulties that stand in the way of carrying out any practical scheme devised to satisfy both producers and consumers, as well as imposing on the respective Governments concerned the duty of acting in (I • dual capacity of buyers and seders. If the principle is to extend to all countries supplying foodstuffs to the British people and competing against one another the scheme is bound to fail, but if preference is to form part of the. arrangement then there may be a chance of some sort of scheme being tried out,

though few commercial men will be sanguine of success. To embark upon Government control at both ends would be fraught with danger, particularly when other issues than economic would probably be seized upon by politicians for party purposes. Mr. Forbes may no doubt be relied upon to treat this and all other subjects with discretion worthy of the traditions of his predecessors at similar conferences.