IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 423, 14 November 1930, Page 7

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

GENERAL HERTZOG JO LEAVE. [ British Official Wireless ] RUGBY, Nov. 12. The heads of the delegations to the Imperial Conference continued consideration of the economic aspects of inter Imperial relations this afternoon and adjourned until to-morrow morning. when they hope to conclude the discussion on economic questions, including suggestions for quotas, import hoard, and bulk purchase, which were put forward as possible alternatives to Imperial preference by means of tariffs.

In the afternoon they will continue the discussion of foreign affairs begun yesterday. That, will be the last meeting at which General Hertzog will attend. for he proposes tu sail for South Africa on Friday. He will be represented at the final plenary session of the Conference, which is fixed provisionally for Friday morning. LONDON, Nov. 12. For the first time during the present conference the heads of the delegations adjourned for afternoon tea. evidently to alow their frayed nerves to regain composure after the long-drawn battle over the economic issues, especially preferences and quotas. Though Mr Snowden grimly resists any idea of food taxes, there is a feeling that he may to morrow recede from his rigid negative to the retention of existing preferences, though it is doubtful if he would retract his definite House of Commons statement that he would repeal them at the first opportunity. On the contrary it is suggested that escape mar be found by the relegation of both economic questions to a special Economic Conference in 1931, the place of which is not indicated, though Ottawa is mentioned.

Mr Snowden protested that the Dominion delegates got a flying start with broadcast stressing the importance of preferences before Britain had time or opportunity to examine the questions.

A report was made that it was strange that in the closing hours of tho conference Britain was still unable to make up her mind to settle the issue one wav or the other. Though a communique mentions ap _ proval of the reports 03 constitutional matters it is understood that agreement was onlv reached by expunging all mention of difficult controversial points. For example there is reason to believe that the Irish Free State is dissatisfied about going to The Hague, but B 'tain, under the optional clause reservations will decline to go and wil’ toll Ireland to take the matter to the Empire Tribunal, to which it is expected Troland will give a curt negative. So how the tangle can be unravelled nobodv knows.