The Dominion. THUESDAY, MAUCH 4, 1915. THE WAR ON GERMAN TRADE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2400, 4 March 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. THUESDAY, MAUCH 4, 1915. THE WAR ON GERMAN TRADE

t A notable gathering was held in Sydney a.- few days ago for the purpose of initiating a movement to cultivate trade within' the Empire and with the Empire's Allies in substitution for trade hitherto existing with enemy countries. The Governor of New South Wales (Sir Gerald Strickland) was present, and alj sections of the community, including leading members of both political parties, were represented. Tho unanimity of the gathering was remarkable. A note of determination and confidence ran through the speeches. All seemed to realise that the i time had coma for the reorganisation of the Empire's commerce, and that the war had- opened up a great opportunity for seizing and holding a very large portion of the enormous foreign trade which tho Germans bad built up before the conflict began. Not Australia only, but every British community throughout the world, feels that the war is going to- make a tremendous difference in the Empire's commercial relationships. - Tee Kaiser and his entourage thought that the overseas Dominions would take advantage of Britain's embroilment in war their independence. They so utterly misjudged the temper of the Dominions that they really believed that the Empire would fall to pieces, and the wonderful way in which the young British nations rallied round the Motherland was as surprising- as it was disappointing to the military and political authorities in Berlin. This spirit of unity is not going to be confined to joint action in the fighting sphere. It is finding expression in other aspects of our national life. The Empire is determined to stand together in trade as well as in war. The present crisis has taught us with an impressiveness that nothing else could the supreme folly of supplying our greatest enemy, through commercial channels, with financial resources by the help of which he is now desperately endeavouring to bring about our downfall. The resolution carried at Sydney, on the motion of Senator Gardiner (who represented the Australian Prime Minister), would be heartily endorsed by the overwhelming majority of the people of New Zealand if they were asked to express their opinion on the matter. The meeting pledged itself to do everything in its power to promote trade with the Empire, and with the Empire's Allies, and to discourage by every possible means a continuance of trade with those countries which ha%> declared themselves enemies to % British Empire. In matters of commerce our first consideration should be the welfare of our own Empire. We should, as far as possible, buy British-made goods. British communities should help one another in this matter. The Empire cannot, of course, be absolutely selfsufficient and self-contained. It must have extensive dealings with other nations—and here our duty to our Allies claims our attention. AVo must do our best to ensure that 6Uoh foreign trade as is necessary is done with the countries who are now 'fighting .with us to destroy Prussian military domination. . The trade war will begin in deadly earnest after the terms of peace have been settled. The Germans' seem to think that the world cannot get on without them. The British Empire has -certainly given some encouragement to this idea by the manner in which it has allowed German manufactures to invade its markets to the detriment of its own industrial development. The political and commercial leaders of Germany openly boast that when the war is over they will soon regain the commercial position they held before the outbreak of hostilities. They say that German science, German workmanship, and German enterprise must overcome all obstacles. They overlook the fact that they will have to make a new start, and that the British Empire is not likely to soon forget the lesson which tho present tremendous conflict has taught it. British science has done more for the world than German science; and British manufacturers British workmen, and the British public have no intention of throwing away the advantages which have becu gained through .the annihilation of Germany's overseas commerce. But the Germans aro a determined and resourceful people/and they can be relied on to do all in their power to make up the lost ground. We may be quite sure, as one of the speakers at the Sydney meeting pointed out, that whatever the German Government can do to restore the trade , lost during the war will be done, and" done with tho utmost energy. It -is our business to Mepfc, measures to tHiM. Mi to «f----iwt. XiPfcwa w tiie toa

war can only be won by a well-or-ganised and skilfully-conducted commercial campaign. The resourcefulness and determination of the enemy can only be overcome by greater determination and greater resourcefulness, combined with strong national spirit. If the new trade movement is to succeed it must have the whole-hearted support of the whole community—the Government, the manufacturers, the workers, and the consumers. Mil. Cook, the Leader of the Federal Opposition, made a good point when he the movement represents the call of the blood, tho call of the race, the call of ideals, the call of comradeship, and it also means that the economic and commercial forces shall no longer be divorced from the larger interests of the nation. We must learn to consider the Empire's welfare in our trade as well a's in our social and political activities. Our idea of Imperialism must bo broadened and deepened.' A system of co-operation for defence against foreign aggression does not exhaust the possibilities of united action. The bonds of Eppire might well bo materially strengthened in other directions without endangering the self-governing powers of the Dominions or trespassing on their right to. manage their own internal affairs.