Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1930. EMPIRE TRADE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 21 October 1930, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1930. EMPIRE TRADE.

The Press has expressed the hope that the Imperial Conference will not allow the constitutional part of its agenda, which is for all practical purposes secondary to the other, to engross it too much. After all, these questions are largely academic. Whatever be the answer to them, the actual facts of the situation remain unchanged. The existence of the dominiohs. depends on the maintenance of the Empire, and not only is too close an analysis unprofitable, but it may be dangerous. The economic task of the Conference is paramount, and to that task the* Conference has addressed itself. The development of markets and the stimulation of trade are of far greater moment to the Empire just now than hair-splitting on abstract propositions. And while Governments cannot bring about prosperity and promote trade, they can by an exchange of views, and by joint action establish conditions favourable to that consummation. No doubt there is ample room for greater co-operation, but there is one difficulty, the magnitude of which seems scarcely to be appreciated in Britain. Eager as the dominions are to help Britain and to accept the benefits she gives them, there is one article of policy which they are most unlikely seriously to modify, for the immediate future at least. They will grant Britain preferences but they are determined to expand their own secondary industries. No scheme of Imperial organisation which runs counter to that resolve will be acceptable. A visitor has spoken of the success which Lord Beaverbrok’s campaign for Empire freetrade is achieving. How can it fail to clash with the convictions of communities wedded to protection? But, although the dominions will not be , weaned from their fiscal faith, there are other directions in which ' they, with Britain, can work in unison for their mutual advantage.