EMPIRE ECONOMIC UNITY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18624, 21 July 1930, Page 2

EMPIRE ECONOMIC UNITY.

PROBLEM FOR IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. British Official Wireless RUGBY, July 17. In the House of Lords Lord Elibank raised the question of the agenda at the forthcoming Imperial Economic Conference. He inquired whether the Government were prepared to agree to consideration by the conference of every aspect of a closer trade relationship between Britain and the rest of the Empire and whether they would submit to the conference for full discussion the policy of Empire Free Trade, including the imposition of duties on foreign foodstuffs. Lord Arnold, replying for the Government, said that the details of the subjects for discussion at the conference were under discussion with the Dominion Governments. The final form of the agenda had not been settled, but the Prime Minister would make an an? nouncement upon it before the end of the session. The agenda would permit consideration of any proposals which might be put forward for the purpose of improving inter-imperial trade; but it would be made clear from the outset that the Government were opposed to any new or increased taxation of foodstuffs or to any system of tariffs in Great Britain. The Government would not agree to submit to the Conference the policy of Empire Free Trade.