Dear Mr. Bruce,
Since last mail day, I have been seeing a number of Members of
Parliament, through Sir Howard d'Egville [1], who is most kindly
doing everything possible to assist me. I need not worry you with
details but I think you will be interested in a brief report under
a few heads.
IMPERIAL ECONOMIC COMMITTEE
On March 14th I had a long interview with Lord Arnold, the Under-
Secretary of State for the Colonies, on this subject. Lord Arnold
is a very rigid Free Trader but he became decidely interested in
the Committee and asked me to prepare a short memorandum on the
subject, which he promised to also place before Mr. Thomas. [2] I
enclose a copy of this memorandum.
On March 17th, at Sir H, d'Egville's request, I talked to the
Empire Parliamentary Association Sub-Committee on Trade and
Communications about the Economic Committee. Most of the Members
to whom I have spoken profess blank surprise at Mr. Thomas's
answer in the House [3] The only reasoned objection I have heard
came from Mr. J. Muir, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Pensions, who is a Glasgow Labour Member. He said that in the
present state of negotiations with foreign countries, the
Government could not afford to give the idea that they were out to
push Empire Development.
Mr. Ormsby-Gore [4] assures me that Mr. Thomas, after taking
office, was in favour of the Committee and invited him to accept
the nomination of representatives for the Crown Colonies and
Protectorates.
PREFERENCE PROPOSALS
I have had a very interesting talk with General Seely [5], who
promised to vote and speak in favour of preference. I am under the
impression that about 10 Liberals will vote for most of the
proposals, a larger number voting for the preferences that mean no
increase in duty.
The Labour position is much harder to gauge and will depend
largely upon the attitude of the Government.
Dr. Robert Donald [6] called on me about a week ago and asked me
for some brief letters on Dried Fruits, Canned Fruits and the
Murray generally-so that after conversation he could place them
before the Prime Minister. [7] I enclose copies of these letters.
EDUCATION OF LABOUR IN EMPIRE PROBLEMS
Dr. Haden Guest, M.C, M.P., now proposes to take up this matter
seriously. He is a very capable man and I have suggested to him
that he is peculiarly fitted to lead Labour ideas into proper
channels on Empire development.
Dr. Haden Guest is considering the immediate formation of a
Parliamentary Empire Group and also of propaganda for the
Constituencies. I hope to be able to report a definite development
by next mail. If we can persuade a section of the Labour Party to
really take an interest in Empire economics, it would be, as I
feel sure you will fully realise, of the utmost value for the
future.
LORD PARMOOR [8]
I enclose a copy of a letter signed by Lord Parmoor to a Yorkshire
paper. It is an amazing document and, on seeing his letter, I
immediately drafted a letter (copy enclosed) which I submitted to
Sir Joseph Cook. [9] Sir Joseph asked Senator Wilson [10] to sign
the letter and it has today been dispatched to the Times. [11]
I have discussed this matter with Sir Philip Lloyd-Greame [12] and
I believe he will arrange for a debate on Lord Parmoor's statement
in the House of Lords.
I enclose copies of articles I have written for the Manchester
Guardian and the Daily Herald.
Yours sincerely,
F. L. MCDOUGALL