TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17014, 12 April 1923, Page 6

TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE.

PLEA FOR CO-OPERATION DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. Australian a nd\\Z. Cabte' Assooiaticrf^ (Received April 12, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON; April 10. In the House of Commons, an Cqmniitte of Supply, Viscount Eduam, Conservative member tor Hornsey, moving a resolution asking the Government to take immediate steps to secure the lullesc extension of trade within the Umpire in co-operation with- the overseas, authorities, said that great harm wa> being done to the Empire by the continued delay in dealing with Lmpir* trade. The time lor pious resolutions at imperial Conferences which were not acted upon had gone bv, Viscount Kdnam said. The Empire could make itself entirely self-sufficient in tooth stuffs and raw materials, with a surplus for export, and it would be criminal if they did not ensure the Empire’s future after the lessons of the war. Sir Philip Lloyd Graeme (president or the Board of Trade), replying, ex pressed approval of the motion, which embodied the very objects of the forthcoming Economic Conference. The deficit in the export trade had been reduced from 35 per cent at the begin liing of 1922 to 20 per cent. If Britain, was t.o cure unemployment, she must not only wipe out the deficit, but do something more, and that could nowhere be so well done as within the him - pi re. In the present economic condition. America was finding it difficult to do an export trade. This was the vital moment in which British merchants should find a way into the markets where American competition had been keenest. With a closer study of the conditions of the dominions’ markets, Britain could greatly increase the amount of trade with them. The Government would take up at the Imperial Conference the whole question of cooperation with the dominions and the State Governments in the dominions. It would also consider the possibilities ol extending preference. Mr A. Short (Labour) said lie won-

dered to what extent the pockets of the tax -payers would bear the cost of the schemes foreshadowed by Sir Philip Lloyd Graeme. The Labour Party generally supported the motion, because it was interested in the progress and development of the Empire as much vs any other section of the House. Air Short urged the Government to reopen complete diplomatic relations -with Ru.o sia. The cutting off of 130.000.000 of people could not be to the mutual advantage of either country. Colonel J. C. W edgetyood (Labour) said he did not believe that the iinem plovmerit problem would be solved bv the migration of people to various parts of the Empire? The solution lay at home, iu getting the people hack to the land. Dr Chappie. from the Liberal benches, made a spirited plea for emigration. vigorously dismissing the Labour Party’s objection to this policy. The Hon AA*. G. A. Onnsby Gore. Under .Secretary of State for the Colo nios. replying to the debate, repudiate ! the idea, that the Empire Settlement Act was put forward as a solution for unemployment. Tt was a partnership arrangement, designed to ensnare that the people went to the dominions ur.do»the most humane, «nd favourable eondi lions. 'Pho Imperial Economic Conferences were being summoned prim*riiv t<; discuss bow far migration could lie improved, and the various forms of ns sistance to he given to trade with the dominions. The motion was rejected without > division.