CONFERENCE REVIEW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 179, 1 August 1932, Page 7

CONFERENCE REVIEW

HOLIDAYS FOR DELEGATES MANY INTERESTING TRIPS BRITISHERS AND PREFERENCE Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] Received July 31, 5.5 p.m. OTTAWA, July 30. [Seeing that the conference has made surprising progress during the first week, delegates may well be pardoned for regarding with equanimity and even relief, arrangements fur a ifiree-day holiday next week-end. Next Munday will be a public holiday corresponding with the August bank holiday, while delegates will have the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday off, leaving only three working days next week. The only business to-day was a meeting of the heads of delegations to consider whether the illuminating currency speeches, including Britain’s statement, was censurable for publication.

Tho delegates attended the Earl of Bcssborough’s garden party in the afternoon and then packed their bags for innumerable holiday resorts. Several Britishers, also Mr. Gullett, have gone to the fishing lakes and streams of Gatineau and others have gone to country clubs, notably a party of 70 guests who have gone to the luxurious log cabin called Lucerfe, which is a country club on a millionaire basis midway between Ottawa and Montreal, and has facilities for golf, tennis, riding and swimming. Mr. J. 11. Thomas, who visited his son’s home at Montreal last weekend to sec his new grandson, whom he described as "right up to sample,” is spending this week-end fishing.

Delegates attended a gala concert given by all Canadian artists. The items included Alfred Hill’s poi song and Percy Grainger’s folk songs. Two special trains will take the delegates to Niagara on August 4, proceeding on to the ceremonial opening of the Welland Canal on August 6 Tho canal is part of the great scheme for the extension of the St. Lawrence waterway into the Great Lakes, which America and Canada have jointly agreed to undertake over a period of ten years, but it is uncertain whether Congress will approve, for economic reasons. The delegates will sec the world’s largest fresh-water steamer, the Lemoyne, pass through the new locks outwards, carrying a record cargo of grain. They will return to Ottawa to resume the conference on August 8. Acute Unemployment The newspapers, which give prominence to the ejection of the Washington war veterans, make no reference to Canada’s unemployment problem, which is acute. Threatened unemployed demonstrations by processions converging on Ottawa did not eventuate, police patrols preventing the marchers entering the capital. Strong police guards round the Chateau divert traffic from the neigh bouring streets after sunset, following complaints, particularly from the Britishers, that the noise interfered with their sleep and that their tempers were fraying under the strain. The Australian and Now Zealand delegates, while fully sharing the great pressure of work, are still finding occasional respite, Mr. Bruce golfing. Mrs. Bruce, who suffered from ptomaine poisoning in Auckland, refrained from participation in the shipboard life and is no? keenly golfing. Mr. Gullett, one of the hardest workers, is now enjoying his first relaxation. Mrs. Gullett has boon tho life of many parties with her charming manner. The Abbots were among the Australians invited to the. Government House dinner, -where the Baldwins were the principal guests. Mr. Coates, who presented New Zealand’s case in an able manner, is now indulging in tennis, and Mrs. Coates is a most popular hostess. Mr. Dovvnie Stewart, who celebrated his fifty-third birthday yesterday, received many presentations and congratulations. He is actively participating in all the conference business, giving a strong lead as chairman of the Customs Committee. Miss Stewart is constantly and assiduously attentive to his welfare.

Doctor Craig and Mr. Park are indefatigable and have endless duties. Messrs. Jones and Napier are well satisfied with the meat and fruit results and Mr. Goodfellow is still pursuing his aims regarding a butter quota.

Tho Canadian Cabinet Committee, including Messrs. Bennett and Stevens, under tho chairmanship of Mr. Rhodes, Minister of Finance, have nearly completed a careful examination of tho tariff schedule and are preparing concessions which can be granted to Britain, particularly in cottons, woollens and steel. There is a growing feeling in Canadian Government circles that Britain is favourably disposed to give preference to wheat, meat and other primary products. One of Canada’s concessions will probably be the curtailment of the customs officials’ authority to fix arbitary values for customs purposes, which Mr. Baldwin deprecated in Thursday’s statement. "Talking Nonsense” The Ottawa Journal says that Lord Hailsham is talking nonsense when he predicts a break up of the Empire within his lifetime in the event of the failure of the conference. It points out that the Empire is broadly based upon the will of its various peoples. It has survived many shocks. Differences may exist, but they will pass, and as long as tho Empire upholds the principles of the sacredness of contracts, faith in the pledged word, justice, freedom and fair play. Imperial preferences may come and go with a varying degree of success or failure, but the Empire will survive. The Ottawa Citizen regrets that there are signs that members of the conference are not ready for "tariff disarmament.” Australia has endeavoured to put pressure on Britain by describing the British position as a tardy response to what- Australia li?\s already done. * The British reply on Thursday gave impressive evidence to the contrary. Tt must bo an onerous

task for Messrs. Bruce, Baldwin and Bonnett to find themselves compelled to make demands where they would much rather offer mutual aid. but so long as they regard themselves as agents of tariff nationalism, they can do little else.