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The Influence of the Cinema generally. And, if what I have said is true of trade propaganda, is it not equally true in other directions ? We want our people throughout the Empire to know the Empire better. The strongest bonds are the least definable—a common outlook, common ideals, a common atmosphere exemplified, for instance, in our common literature. If this be so, can we be content that the cinema, this new and all-pervading influence, should appeal to the most impressionable of our people (for cinema audiences are for the most part young) always in a foreign setting and a foreign atmosphere ? No one who has studied the problem will underrate its difficulties, but, the more one studies it, the more one realizes its importance. If, at this Conference, we can agree on a common policy, I believe it will be a lasting achievement not only for Empire trade, but for Empire citizenship. I have attempted to give some review of the development of our mutual trade since we last met, and to indicate some of the questions upon which I hope we may agree on a common policy at this Conference. There is much that our Governments can do to stimulate the reciprocal trade that is vital to us all. But after all trade is conducted not between Governments, but between the peoples they represent. They can do more than any Government to develop that trade and to help each other, and in helping each other to help themselves. And looking back over these past years lam more than ever convinced that the greatest success of the Imperial Economic Conference lay in its presentation to our people of their opportunity, the opportunity day by day by their individual action to increase the trade within the Empire and by so doing to develop its resources. Our people are fully alive to day to that opportunity ; and this Conference will confirm them in their resolution. STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS. Mr. Amery : I think I need only give a very brief summary for the purpose of reminding th§ Conference. of the situation and of what took place at the Economic Conference in 1923 with regard to the establishing of an Imperial Economic Committee. On that occasion a resolution was adopted, on the motion of Mr. Bruce. Resolution ot 1923 regarding Imperial Economic Committee. The resolution was as follows :— " That in the opinion of this Imperial Economic Conference (Canada dissenting)— " (1) It is desirable to establish an Imperial Economic Committee, comprising representatives of the Governments represented in the Imperial Conference, and responsible to those Governments. " (2) The function of the committee should be to consider and advise upon any matters of an economic or commercial character, not being matters appropriate to be dealt with by the Imperial Shipping Committee, which are referred to it by any of the constituent Governments, provided that no question which has any reference to another part of the Empire may be referred to the committee without the consent of that other part of the Empire." Constitution of Imperial Economic Committee. The Canadian representative on the Imperial Economic Conference, Mr. Graham, dissented from that resolution on the ground that the proposed organization was really unnecessary, and, indeed, that it might raise fiscal or other issues which might be embarrassing. However, the other Governments represented felt that such an organization was desirable, and passed the resolution. There was a change of Government in this country immediately afterwards, and the new Government felt disinclined to proceed with the establishment of this committee, which would have been on a basis of representation of, I think, three for the United Kingdom, two for each of the Dominions, two for India, and two for the colonies and protectorates—in the absence of Canada ; but they opened up a correspondence with Canada which reached a certain point when there wa.s a further change of Government and we came into office. The outcome of that correspondence was that the Imperial ■ Economic Committee was set up not on the permanent basis and with the very wide reference originally proposed, but on an ad hoc basis, to inquire into the marketing of oversea products by dealing with one subject after another —for insta.nce, with foodstuffs —as agreed upon between the Governments concerned. Work of the Committee hitherto. On that basis the Imperial Economic Committee began its work, I think at the beginning of last year, and it has since produced four reports. The first was a very interesting general report, dealing with the work of marketing Empire food produce, followed by a meat report, a fruit report, and a dairy-produce report. Ido not know whether members of the Conference have had time really to read those reports and their appendices with any care ; but I have, done so, and I have been greatly impressed by the very valuable character of these reports —indeed, by their progressively valuable character. For, as the committee has settled down to its inquiry, it has developed what I may call the technique of inquiry ; it has come more and more to know what things to look for, and it has enlarged the circle of the sources from which it has drawn this information. 1 think any comparison of an earlier report, say, the meat report, with the fruit or dairy-produce report, would show how the Imperial Economic Committee has found its feet in the actual business of getting at facts and finding the way to suggest really substantial improvements in the marketing of Empire produce ; and in the word " Empire " the Imperial Economic Committee has always included this country, this Home

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