DEPARTURE FOR OTTAWA

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1932, Page 9

DEPARTURE FOR OTTAWA

PREPARATION OF THE CASE

NEW ZEALAND’S DELEGATION.

MR. COATES STILL IN DOUBT.

By Telegraph.—Prosts Association. Wellington, Last Night. The New Zealand delegation to the •Imperial economic conference at Ottawa will require to leave Wellington at the end of next week to make the latest steamer connection at Auckland for Vancouver. It is understood, that preparation of the policy to be presented at Ottawa on behalf of New Zealand is almost completed. The official delegation will leave for Auckland probably on the night of Juno 26. The Aorangi is scheduled to leave for Vancouver on the Tuesday. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works) said to-day that matters pertaining to the Ottawa conference would be discussed at a meeting of Cabinet to-morrow. He was unable to make any statement yet as to whether or not he would be a member of the delegation.

On the return of the Prime Minister to Wellington to-morrow morning after a brief visit to Palmerston North he will be engaged on questions affecting the preparation of New Zealand’s case for presentation at Ottawa. It was expected that the members of the Cabinet Ottawa conference committee would meet the approved delegates of the primary industries and the manufacturers to-day, but owing to lack of time in the morning before Mr. Forbes left the city this was not possible. Representatives of the exporters and manufacturers have been called to Wellington in order to hold final meetings with the Cabinet committee before the delegation sails. There is much speculation concerning Mr. Coates’ attitude toward going to the conference. The Prime Minister remains confident that Mr. Coates will go, and there is a growing opinion in official circles that he will be a member of the party. Although Mr. Coates has said, nothing to indicate that he will withdraw, it was understood authoritatively a few days ago that he did not feel himself free to go in spite of the pressure that was being brought to bear by pripiary producing interests. He is expected to make a statement one way or the other I within the next few days. i

AGENDA NOT YET COMPLETED.

THE MAIN LINES AGREED UPON.

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.

Rec. 7 p.m. Ottawa, June 15. The agenda for the Imperial Conference will not be completed for some time; consequently it will not be available for discussion at the conference in the British Hous© of Commons on Friday.

While the main lines of the programme are pretty well agreed upon there remain details to be worked out and additions to draft. Communications have been forwarded to the Dominions but replies have not yet been received from all.