SLOW PROGRESS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1930, Page 7

SLOW PROGRESS

' DOMINIONS’ ANNOYANCE

FRADE COMMITTEES BEHIND

BRITAIN NOT COMMITTED

MR. BENNETT’S PREDICTION

THE LAST OPPORTUNITY

EXPERTS EXAMINE QUOTAS

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, Oct. 15. Though the heads of delegations to the Imperial Conference will meet again tomorrow to consider the development of .trade, it is understood that insufficient progress has been made in the committees for the heads to resume the discussion of high

policy. There is no concealing the pronounced Dominion opinion that the con- . fejence in the third week has done almost nothing on the major issues, notably trade. The British official spokesman to-day had little to say, except to make it clear that the Cabinet had not stolen anybody’s thunder on an “idea which naturally cropped up in a survey of every possible aid towards developing Empire trade.” As a matter of fact the Cabinet’s attitude had been not to commit itself to any scheme till the conference had most fully discussed the whole field of possibilities. ‘Canada has suggested a plan whereby closer trade can be established,” said Mr. Bennett in a broadcast speech to-night. “I shall not refer to the reception of the proposal, which in the near future will either be accepted or rejected. We can only await that momentous decis-, ion, but I consider it is my duty to say that if this opportunity is not seized it may'not recur; This is in no sense a threat, rather is it a prediction of v what I believe to be true.” - The so-called quota system as applied to wheat is being examined by experts who will report to the committee of the conference. The wheat milled in Great Britain is approximately derived from the following sources: United Kingdom 13 per cent.,. Dominions . 44 per cent., foreign i countries 43 per cent. ' Although the United Kingdom delegation

have put forward the quota system as a

method worthy of examination it is only ! j one of several similar suggestions, which '/ will depend upon their ability to pass successfully the test of. frank and free discussion and. technical analysis. Nevertheless it is one which members of the . t Government and members of the Conservative party also have recently referred to favourably. ' Dr. Addison, Minister of Agriculture, during August expressed his personal conviction that it; could be advantageously worked and recalled the Government’s pledge that, as soon as the conclusions of this Imperial Conference were known, whatever practical steps could be devised to put British cereal growing on an economic foundation would be undertaken.

ATTITUDE OF CONSERVATIVES.

During September Mr. Neville Chamberlain, chairman of the Conservative Party, said that if his party were in power it would put proposals before the ’ Imperial

Conference ’which, without imposing taxes on foreign wheat, would nevertheless give to the British farmer a guaranteed market at a guaranteed' price for his wheat and would give to the Empire farmer a larger and more secure market for his wheat, and would' still leave us with a margin which we could use for negotiations with those countries which are not within the Empire, but where we have valuable interests.

‘"these proposals are what is known as the quota system, which is simplicity itself. It merely provides that you lay down that every loaf baked in this country for British consumption shall be composed of a certain proportion; which can he gradually increased, of Empire wheat. This proposition on which we have been working for some time seems [to me to offer perhaps the greatest contribution whieh hag yet been made towards the problem of the development of intra-Imperial trade.”

Mr. Baldwin, supplementing his prefer-

ence statement of October 9-in a letter to 1 Mr. Neville Chamberlain, p'ointed out that the final form of any plan for , developing economic unity throughout the Empire depended on the further proceedings of the Imperial Conference, but meanwhile he emphasised that he no longer had in mind any suggestion of a referendum or second election, but would go to the polls with a programmer to which electors would be asked to give their final definite assent. The Conservative Party was determined'

Io extend preference to the utmost limit.

"Our idea is that the circumstances regarding each article which will be the subject of preference should be examined on their merits in co-operation with the Dominions concerned. The remedy to be adopted should be one which, after investigation, seems the best adapted to advance our common aim.’’ /Referring to wheat, Mr. Baldwin said that, having provided that a fixed proportion of the British loaf should be made from home-grown wheat, it would be a natural extension of the plan to give effective preference to the Empire in the shape of an allocation of a further proportion to the Empire farmer. 7 Such a system would provide an antidote more effective than tariffs against dumping Russian or bounty-fed foreign wheat. It could be worked through the normal trade channels, avoiding import boards and bulk purchase. Regarding other commodities, investigations might show that there were other means, either in addition to or in sub•titution for tariffs. Translating into action the main principle of preference, the Conservatives intended to claim from the electors full authority to give immediate effect to such Imperial arrangements as might be reached. “CABINET RIDING FOR FALL” UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF TROUBLE. MR. BALDWIN’S TARIFF PLANS. Rec. 9.35 p.m. ( London, Oct. 16. It is known that considerable differences exist within the British Cabinet' as a result of the growth of unemployment. "A section of the Cabinet now realises,” says the Daily Telegraph, ‘that the Government’s plans, including relief work schemes, are totally inadequate to cope with the 2,176,191 workless people, and ' gathers that the Ministers have been compelled in the circumstances to consider the question of tariffs as a means of helping home industries and promoting trade with the Dominions. The outcome cannot be

predicted. " Opinion is growing that the Government is embarrassed on all sides and may ride for a fall in the near future. "In the meantime Mr. Baldwin’s new statement is being searchingly scrutinised. It is understood his proposed emergency tariff would consist of flat rates for manufactured and semi-manufactured goods re spectively.”