The Daily News SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1930. CONFERENCE AGENDA.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1930, Page 6

The Daily News SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1930. CONFERENCE AGENDA.

The outline of the business that is to occupy the attention of the Imperial Conference, which will open on Wednesday, appeared in yesterday’s issue.' According to precedent the main subjects for discussion concern Imperial relations, foreign policy, defence and economic questions. The first of these may fairly be described as partaking of the nature of an Address-in-Reply at the opening of Parliament, as it lends itself to the introduction of a variety topics, several of these being specially . set down under particular heads. Inasmuch as the conference partakes of the nature of a family gathering in an Empire sense, there is an appropriateness in placing the abstract question of Imperial relations in the forefront of the agenda. Practically it may be classed as an opening overture to the opera of “Ourselves,” and as such can be made to create the right atmosphere for the succeeding scenario. The subject of foreign policy and defence must necessarily cover a wide area, in which sharp differ/ ences of opinion may exist, especially with regard to armaments and disarmament. In view of the present situation and the movements in the direction of peaceful settlement of international disagreements on the one hand, and, on the other, the prospect of further hostilities arising in more than one quarter, there is a possibility of the subject leading to the expression of views which may prove irreconcilable. It will be prudent to await the discussion neither pessimistically nor with optimism, yet in the hope, that,the wisdom and good sense of the delegates will be iitilisesd to the envisaging of the best interests of the Empire as a whole, and ' itj* merely concentrated upon the welfare of any separate units. There are certain vital principles which it is imperative to uphold and maintain if the Commonwealth of British Nations comprising the Empire is to remain united and be worthy of its founders and its glorious traditions and influence. It would be idle-to expect that the present economic problems should.be successfully- solved.’ /• They are far too complex to lend themselves to universal agreement, but even if some of the more important of them, are brought within a measurable distance of paving the way to a better understanding something will be gained, especially in relation to tariffs. Although a marked modification of the - .Home Government’s - view with regard to free trade appears to have been prompted by the severe industrial depression, there still remains a strong feeling in favour of free trade, just as there is' a settled policy for protection on the part of the Dominions. Had circumstances in this' connection remained unaltered since 1914 it would probably have been feasible to arrange" tariffs suitable to 'tlie Dominions and Bmtain, -but a vast change has taken place, hence the urgent need for an Empire agreement that will meet present requirements. While hoping for the best it would be un wise to expect a measure of unity on this matter that would open up a mew and much improved era' for the Empire at large. . There are, however, several minor matters affecting trade and commerce which may be'placed more favourably than they are at present. New proposals have been brought before the Prime Minister of the British Labour Government by the Trades Union Congress and the Federated British Industries, this being claimed as the most important task of the Imperial Conference. These proposals include the creation of permanent machinery for the discussion and formulation of a constructive commonwealth trade policy, with a secretariat at all Imperial Conferences on economic questions. It is to be of a nonparty and advisory character, consisting of persons representing the employers and employees of the Dominions and Britain, but acting personally, “with the object of laying down a sound basis for a commonwealth economic policy.” That such a scheme is plausible cannot be denied, .-but the source from which it emanates appears to suggest that the Trade Unions are out to control more than to advise the economic policy of the Empire. The view taken by the London Times seems to meet the case: “The economic secretariat must not be responsible to any of the Governments, but jointly and severally to all. It can enjoy the full confidence of the rest of the Empire only if it it not tied to the British Government.” The workers have already had more than sufficient time to assist in ihc process of" rehabilitating industry, but their concentration upon their own de mands has made matters worse instead of better. To institute a paid secretariat would be throwing good money after bad.