§ 13. Sir RICHARD COOPERasked if any of the Overseas Dominions have urged 2266 upon him the importance to the Dominions of an early declaration of the trade policy of the British Government after the conclusion of the War; and, if so, can he say what reply has been given?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)No such representations have been made to me officially, but the whole subject is being carefully considered.
§ 14. Sir R. COOPERasked if the Commonwealth of Australia has communicated with his Department since the War began on the subject of German influence in British trade; if so, can he say what support he has offered the Commonwealth in their determination to eradicate such influence from the country under their jurisdiction; and can he lay the correspondence upon the Table of the House?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have been in constant communication with the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia on the subject of Australian metal contracts and other matters, and have been and am prepared to assist them in every way in my power. I do not propose to lay any Papers on the subject.
§ 15. Colonel NORTON-GRIFFITHSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the Australian Chamber of Commerce advocating a preferential trading policy with the Dominions and our Allies; and whether the Government proposes to take any action in the matter with a view to such a policy being adopted before the termination of the War?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have seen Press reports of the resolution referred to, and the whole subject is now engaging the attention of the Government.
§ Sir R. COOPERDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the great importance to the Empire of an early decision being come to by the Government as to what their trade policy is likely to be?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI can assure my hon. Friend that I quite appreciate, and so do the Government, the importance of this question.