MR. FORBES IN LONDON

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1930, Page 7

MR. FORBES IN LONDON

/ WARM WELCOME EXTENDED \ _____ VIEWS ON EMPIRE TRADING HOPES FOR CONFERENCE NO CUT AND DRIED PLANS By Telegraph—-Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Sept. 25. The Hon. G. IV. Forbes, New Zealand Prime Minister, was heartily welcomed at Waterloo station this evening. A crowd of New Zealanders warmly cheered him. Sir Thomas Wilford, Mr. J. H. Thomas, Colonel De Satge, of the Colonial Office, Sir Harry Batterbee, of the Dominions Office, and Sir Charles Holdsworth were among the welcomers.

There were many handshakes for old friends in the delegation. The customary barrage of cameramen did its duty, after which M l ’. Forbes went to his hotel. He was earlier given a reception aboard the Majestic at Southampton by the Mayor. He said he had had a delightful voyage from New York. “We do not bring any cut and dried proposals and have no memorandum to submit to the conference,” said Mr. Forbes in an interview. “We recognise Britain’s present difficulties and are anxious to join in any measures which will benefit her and New Zealand. While Britain is already taking most of our exports V-meat, butter, cheese and other commodities —we can supply much larger quantities. Though w« import most of our requirements from Britain, v,e are anxious to increase the proportion. New Zealand is doing very well but wants to do better.”

Asked what he thought of the British memorandum suggesting the adnrssion of Dominion food products in preference to foreign on the ground that tney were produced under carefully controlled conditions, Mr. Forbes said he would wive full consideration to this .and other proposals put before the conference. New Zealand safeguarded the interests of the consumer in every possible way. The Dominion had never pressed for any materiaj change in constitutional relations with Britain. It recognised that these questions were of deeper concern to other parts of the Empire and did not propose to place any obstacle in the way of a solution acceptable to all, but would do everything possible to promote the unity of the commonwealth of nations. Mr. Forbes said that unless the conference arrived at some agreed effective economic policy it would not justify the high hopes entertained. He was much struck by the vastness. of Canada, but admitted tliat Australia was equally spacious. “After all there is something to be said for a small country like New Zealand, quite big enough for all the people therein and many more, f It is a comfortable place in which to live.” Mr. Forbes will probably be able to talk with his home during tho. conference. The post office hopes to link Britain and New Zealand telephonieally through Australia shortly, though it is impossible to fix the date. It is expected that arrangements will be made for a special call for Mr. Forbes at the inauguration of the service,