RESULTS OF CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1930, Page 7

RESULTS OF CONFERENCE

EMPIRE SHIPPING BENEFIT MR. THOMAS MAKES SURVEY TRADE PLAN NOT EXPECTED f THE PREFERENCE PLEDGE British Official Wireless. Rec. 5.5 p.m. Rugby, Nov. 20. Surveying the of the Imperial Conference in a broadcast speech last night, the Secretary for Dominion, Affairs, Mr. J. H. Thomas, sqid the plan devised for the equality of legislative power concerning mercantile shipping was such that there would be a minii mum of restrictions on the movement of ships of various parts of the Empire. It was not l)e expected, Mr, Thomas said, that in the prevailing circumstances a fully developed scheme of Imperial economic co-operation could be produced within such a short space, but the adjournment of the discussions to the Ottawa conference was in itself a declaration of belief that solid results would be achieved. The United Kingdom Government’s undertaking to maintain for a period of years the existing preferential margins was of great practical advantage to the producers by removing doubts and uncertainty.

MAINTAINING PREFERENCES

PLEDGE BY BRITAIN CONDITIONAL

McKENNA DUTIES DISCUSSED.

Rec. 10.50 p.m. London, Nov. 20. In answer to an inquiry in the House of Commons whether the .British undeitakipg at the Imperial Conference to maintain existing preferences for three years applied to the McKenna safeguarding duties, Mr. Philip Snowden said the British declaration applied to all existing duties but the obligation was governed by the existing law in relation to the duration of the duties and Parliament’s right to fix the Budret yearly. ° Mr. G. H. Shakespeare (Liberal) asked: “Seeing 'that the margin of preference und°er the McKenna duties is 11 per cent., will you be'precluded from reducing them below 11 P er cent ? Mr. Snowden replied: “So long as we maintain the pmrgin of 11 per cent, between the duties on foreign and Empire products.” “Are you entitled,” Mr. L. C. M. S, Amery (Conservative) asked, “to abolish the McKenna duties altogcthei 1 Mr. Snowden replied that the-ques-tion did not arise. Mr. Amery: “Does not the-Imperial Conference undertaking mean that the Government pledges. that unless , overridden by Parliament it shall maintain every duty carrying preference?” Mr. Snowden said there were several conditions to the declaration. It was subject to what might be done at Ottawa and to Parliament's right to deal with duties. Sublet to these conditions there was an obligation to maintain existing preferences.

CENSURE MOTION PLANNED. BRITISH LACK OF PREPARATION. London, Nov. 20. The Conservative leaders Jiave decided to table a censure motion over the Governments i n the Imperial Conference. They assert that the encc failed through Britain’s lack of preparation and through the refusal to accept the Dominions’ offers and the neglect to offer substantial preference.