OTTAWA CONFERENCE

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 123, 19 May 1932, Page 7

OTTAWA CONFERENCE

FARMERS STATE NEEDS VIEWS UPON TARIFFS The report of the Special committee to report upon remits to be put forward at the Imperial conference at Ottawa was considered last night by the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The following recommendations were adopted: —• Wo recognise that the Ottawa Conference is planned to strengthen the bonds of Empire by arranging for a freer exchange of our several exports.

It is essential for the welfare of every section of the people of this Dominion that the conference assist in some way our export industries. We feel that there are reasonable prospects that the British delegation will be prepared to assist these by putting a quota limit upon foreign competitors in conjunction with Empire preference. This will assist the economic recovery of British farmers as well as British Dominion exporters, and is in accord with the proposal mnefe to British farmers when visiting here In 1930. Preference to Britain There was a diversity of opinion regarding what recommendation the New Zealand delegation should offer in tariffs upon British manufactures, and eventually the following motion by the president, Mr AV. J. Polson, was carried by 11 votes to 10: — If it is necessary to provide compensating advantages to Great Britain which she may require in return, the New Zealand delegation should be given a free hand to negotiate either in tariff reductions or such other plan as may be considered desirable in the interests of the development of the Empire. Imperial Bank of Currency The following additional remit was carried: — That it is essential that the most serious consideration should be given at Ottawa, to the proposal to establish an Imperial Bank of Currency. Mr Coates Should. Go It was decided that a deputation should wait upon the Prime Minister this morning to stress the importance of the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates being included in the New Zealand delegation in the interests of the primary producers of the Dominion. Farmers’ Delegates to Ottawa. AVhen the executive resumed in the afternoon Mr Polson stated that it had been decided that Sir Francis Boys should attend the Ottawa Conference as the delegate of the farmers. Sir Francis Boys would pay his own expenses and was willing, to act in that capacity. When the deputation waited on the Government, Messrs D. Jones and AV. Goodfellow were nominated as the delegates to represent the meat and dairy industries respectively. Mr C. C. Jackson (AVairarapa) said he would like to see Mr Polson go to the conference as the farmers’ representative, for the information nv would be able to give them would be of the greatest value to New Zealand.

Mr Polson thanked Mr Jackson for his suggestion, ,but replied that it was quite impossible for him to consider it. He could not possibly get away, as his own affairs required all his attention at present. No Argentinian Observer UNFOUNDED REPORTS BUENOS AIRES, May 17. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senor Lamas, states that reports circulated abroad to the effect that Argentina would send an observer to the Imperial Conference at Ottawa in July are without foundation. 1 'Argentina has never thought to interfere in private deliberations within the British Empire,” ho adds. Free State’s Intention THREE MINISTERS FOR OTTAWA LONDON, Last Night. The Central News correspondent at Dublin states that the present intention of the Free States Government is to send three Ministers to Ottawa with a secretariat of sixteen. Mr De Valera’s going will depend on the state of home affairs.