§ 5. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the development of trade between this country and the Colonial Empire, and the problems which must arise through resultant prosperity leading to the development of various colonial manufactures, he will consider the desirability of calling a conference at an early date in order to lay down future policy with regard to colonial manufactures as a whole?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers which I gave on the 14th November. For the reasons there given I do not think a conference is either necessary or desirable.
§ Captain MACDONALDIs it not a fact that a great deal of uncertainty exists in the mind of the primary producers in certain parts of the Empire, and will my right hon. Friend take steps to reiterate what the Government policy is in regard to manufactures in the Colonial Empire?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not really think that there is any uncertainty. The whole policy of the Government is to give the greatest possible encouragement to primary producers of the Colonial Empire—this is being done—and to give-the widest possible preference to the British manufacturer.
§ Mr. PALINGDoes that mean that it is not the Government's policy to encourage the building of factories in the Colonies or anything that may lead to manufacture?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE - LISTERThe policy, broadly speaking, is to encourage the primary producer by the grant of preference and to give reciprocal preferences in return. It is only in rare cases that any conflict of interest is likely to arise. I believe that with, reasonable good will and common sense cases like that can very easily be settled.