Evening star., 1932-10-18
Thomas Declares Action to
Prevent Dumping of
Goods Necessary.
SAYS TREATY CONFLICTS
WITH OTTAWA SET-UP
Government, Anxious to Increase
Business, Is Ready to Enter
Discussions, However.
BY the Associated Press.

| By the Associated Press
LONDON, October 18.-J H. Thomas.
secretary for dominions, announced in
the House Of Commons today that
Great Britain has abrogated its COM
mercial treaty with Soviet Russia. Un-
| der article 81 Of the tariff agreement
reached at the recent Ottawa Imperial
Conference, he said remuneration Of the
temporary commercial agreement with
Russia was made necessary
This agreement was signed in April,
1880. 1t gave Russia the privileges Of
most-favored-nati treatment and
therefore, Mr.. Thomas explained, it
stands in the way of trade prohibitions
which might be necessitated by the OBJ
legations undertaken at Ottawa.
Ready for Discussions.
In notifying the Russian charge
daffaires here that Great Britain is
serving six months notice Of abrogation
In accordance with the pact, the Soviet
authorities were informed that Great
Britain is stiIl anxious to increase its
trade with Russia and is ready to en-
ter discussions with that object in view
at the earliest possible time.
Article 81 of the Ottawa agreement,
to which Mr.. Thomas referred. stipu
lates that the whole arrangement with
the dominions is based on the express
condition that If either party lis salts
fed that any preferences granted on
any particular class of commodities are
likely to be frustrated by reason of
maintenance of prices for such COM
modities through state action on the
part Of foreign country" that govern
ment will exercise the powers 1t has Ito
prohibit the entry from such foreign
country Of such commodities for such
time as may be necessary to maintain
the preferences granted at Ottawa.
Cheers Greet Announcement.
Canada and Australia were particular
ly concerned during the negotiations at
Ottawa that the British government
should adopt effective means to prevent
resumption Of Russian dumping on the
wheat market.
1t was suggested at the time that
abrogation OF the British agreement
with Russia might be necessary to make
the Ottawa agreements effective.
The government benches cheered
when Mr.. Thomas declared today that
the government. having undertaken an
obligation to give preferences within
the British commonwealth, must take
all steps necessary to see that no
country shall Illustrate this obligation
by dumping sweated goods in Great
Britain
Liberals Oppose Ratification.
Before Parliament assembled the
Liberal members of the House voted to
oppose strenuously the passage of legis-
lation necessary to ratify the Imperial
Conference trade agreements.
With Sir Herbert Samuel, who re-
party organized committee to pre-
pare detailed amendments for presen-
tation. Sir Herbert's resignation was
unanimously indorsed.
As soon as Mr.. Thomas had finished
speaking about the Russian treaty and
the unsuccessful negotiations regarding
points at issue with the Irish Free
State. Neville Chamberlain. chancellor
OF the exchequer. opened debate on the
Ottawa matter. This probably will con-
sumo three days.
He moved the first of the finance
resolutions which will make the Ottawa
pact a part Of the law of the land. De-
claring that his purpose was to indi-
cate the real significance and import
ance of the Ottawa Conference, he said
that If that meeting results in incress-
ing the prosperity of the British En-
pire. 1t would be the best contribution
Great Britain could make toward res
toration of world prosperity.
Danger Point Reached.
The empire had reached danger
point before the Ottawa conference, he
said. citing as Illustrations Canada's
dependence on American finance and
the danger present in the lack Of any
imperial preferential arrangement with
Great Britain. He also recalled
Americas offer Of reciprocity to Canada,
which would have linked their fortunes
together to the detriment Of imperial
relations"
The first test to apply to the Ottawa
agreement, he said. is its effect upon
the future course of imperial relations.
The agreement must be judged by its
broad tendencies. he said.
The chancellor dealt in considerable
detail with the conference decisions,
expressing satisfaction that Argentine
producers of mutton and lamb had
agreed to work in conjunction with the
Ottawa pact.