IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 380, 25 September 1930, Page 7

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

THE opening ceremony. SUDDEN CHANGE OF VENUE. LONDON, Sept. 23. It is learned that it was suddenly decided to-night to open tho Imperial Conference at the Foreign Office instead of at No. 10 Downing Street. This departure from precedent has caused surprise because tho Conference has always opened in the historic Cabinet Room, into which have been admitted only members of Cabinet and Dominion delegates. It is thought that Mr MacDonald has changed the venue because he desires a spectacular opening like that of the Naval Conference.

EMPIRE UNITY. BRITISH EXPECTATIONS. Received Sept. 24, 11.5 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 24. "The Imperial Conference is always welcome,’’ says the Daily Telegraph.. “The British people delight in having the Dominions Premiers on British soil. Downing Street control is a thing of the past, yet Downing Street is still the centre of these happy reunions. The country expects authoritative pronouncements on such subjects as Imperial economics and Imperial trade. Whatever be the British public opinion, it is eagerly awaiting a sign of the conception of Empire tirade, which shall start new currents ana strengthen those which have grown weak. It is to be hoped that the Government will formally abandon its opposition to preference, which still is the most promising basis for the development of Imperial trade, because it is still the cardinal principle of Dominion tariffs. ’ ’

WHEAT EXPERTS LEAVE. UNITED STATES COMMENT. Received Sept. 24, 11.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, Sept. 24. News of the departure of the Primo Minister of Canada, Mr Bennett, with executives of the Canadian wheat pool and specialists in grain, for tho Imperial Conference on Tuesday, was received here with great interest. The assumption is that some arrangement be made between the British Import Board and the wheat and flour producers of the Dominions which wili not benefit the exporter in the United States. _ Some quarters see the beginning of a new world-market structure in which the British Empire and every other wheat producing country will be a self-contained unit growing only as much as might be used within its own boundaries. Government officials were unable to comment.