Volume 4 1932~1936


Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 76 NAI CAB 1/4

Extract from the minutes of a meeting of the Cabinet
(Cab. 6/45)

Dublin, 7-8 July 1932

  1. Imperial Economic Conference: Instructions to Delegation.
    The following instructions to the delegates to the Ottawa Conference were approved:-
    1. No commitments to be made which would conflict with the declared policy of the Government to develop industries to provide as far as possible for our own needs, and to develop agriculture to supply our requirements in food.
    2. That no agreement be made which would leave the Free State at the mercy of combines in Great Britain or elsewhere.
    3. That before final decisions are reached affecting any matter of importance including
      1. the general principle of reciprocal preference or its application in a particular agreement;
      2. the principle of export bounties and anti-dumping duties or its particular application; and
      3. the restoration and stabilisation of price levels and exchanges;
      4. a despatch by post or, if time presses, a telegraphic or telephonic communication shall be sent to the President notifying him of the intention to make such agreement, and the delegation shall await an intimation from the President that the Executive Council agrees before entering into any such agreement.
    4. As far as possible, copies of documents circulated are to be sent to the President.
    5. That drafts of the final report, or sections of it as they are ready, should also be sent to the President.
    6. That there be no agreement to establish a Central Bank, a common currency or a common credit scheme for the States of the Commonwealth.