CENSURE MOTION MOVED IN HOUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19239, 28 November 1930, Page 7

CENSURE MOTION MOVED IN HOUSE.

ECONOMIC UNITY OF EMPIRE IS PLEADED. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received November 28, 1.50 p.m.) LONDON, November 27. A Conservative motion, asking the House of Commons to censure the Government for not having formulated effective proposals for the encouragement of Empire trade at the recent Imperial Conference, was submitted to the House by Mr Baldwin, who expressed regret that the Government had had neither vision or courage enough to carry forward the proposals outlined at the Imperial Conference. He said that the Empire to-day was the only part of the world where British trade could be expanded. This was only possible by the negotiation of treaties. He believed that eventually the Empire would become one economic unit, the goods being produced and manufactured in the most convenient part of it. If steps were not taken towards Empire economic unity, it would be dangerous. Failing to make arrangements with Britain, the dominions and colonies would make them with foreign countries, added Mr Baldwin, who said that he recognised that it would require great courage for the Government to set aside old prejudices and traditions. If any section of the Government had that courage, it would split the party, but they would have won a higher reputation in Britain than , they were otherwise likely to have in the lifetime of members. When the Government let the Dyestuffs Act go, it was acclaimled in Germany, and when it failed to negotiate with the Dominions it was honoured everywhere except in the Empire. “The judgment of the present House is probably against us,” said Mr Baldwin, “but we shall appeal to the country, where the cause for which we are fighting will be endorsed by the majority of the people.”