TO GRIND DOWN THE ENEMY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2667, 12 January 1916, Page 5

TO GRIND DOWN THE ENEMY

AN ECONOMIC WAR , SMASHING THE HUN'S CREDIT DEBATE IN BRITISH PARLIAMENT By Telegraph—Press Association—Cojjyriglit (Rec. January 11, 10.30 p.m.) London, January 10. In the House of Commons, Mr. W. A. S. Hewins, chairman of the Unionists' Business Committee, in moving a motion on the lines of an economic blow at the enemy, with a view to shortening the war, said that ho did not imply any censure of the Government; his motion mainly aimed at suggesting methods to shorten the war and. injure Germany's economio policy as much as possible. The key to Germany's diplomacy was not the political, but the economic subjeotion of the countries she now occupied. The Governmont should fully and frankly act upon the resolutions adopted at the Imperial Conference, and there should be a further conference of the Empire's representatives to consult as to way and means to check German, designs. We should see that the resources of the Empire over which we had a monopoly should no longer he exploited in the interests of our enemies. Although it would be impossible and undesirable, he added, to attempt to realise the idea of an economic zollverein between the Empire and the Allies, it was possible to make suitable arrangements between those countries.. Nothing would so discourage Germany as for the Allies to make it clear that when the waris over the securities which are the basis of her paper currency will never have a chance of recuporation. When Germany understood that wo had taken this action it would be a material step towards shortening the war. Mr. B. E. Peto (Unionist), seconding the motion, said that stcSs should be taken to arrange with the Allies a policy based entirely on new treaties, and also to consider the position of the neutrals and the position we should assign our enemies. Sir Alfred Mond said that the war was due to the ambitions and Imperialistic ideas of Germany, regardless of economic or comniarcial considerations. No amount of legislation, tariff jugglery, or treaties would deprive the Germans of tlio advantages of their encouragement and scientific and technical knowledge. England's banking system was the greatest bar to her industrial development, and the most serious competition after the'war would be .from America. _ We had not exhausted Germany, which, with a large proportion of her population gone, and her finance in u deplorable condition, could not flood the world with goods. Mr.'Chaplin said that in 1913, 48 per cent, of the German exports went to ourselves and our Allies. Therefore we had an enormous power if wo thought (it to use it. Other speakers urged the Government not to treat the discussion academically, but to give the Empire and our Allies a lead. Free-trade Within the Emplro? Mr. Runciman (President of the Board of Trade), referring to the question of Free-trade within the Empire, said that the policy of the Dominions was not likely to be _ modified. They were determined to raise their revenue Iti their own way. We must thtrefore dismiss the idea of Free-trade within the Empire, limrence had been made to the production of raw material in the Dominions. The control of metals years ago had passed to Frankfurt, which dictated the production of metals, even in the Dominions. Australia went the length of cancelling by legislation every contract in which the metal organisation 'at Frankfurt was concerned. Regarding metals, nothing could be more whole-hearted than the support which' had been given by the Dominions, and consequently we had an abundance of manganese, tungsten, and wolfram, while the production of spelter was increasing. The Dominions had shown a wonderful spirit. "I believe,'' he said, "that any suggestions, which may arise during these discussions in London will meet with' the same warm-hearted reception there. We are mobilising the whole of the economic strength of the Empire during the war. I believe we ought to do everything in onr power to injure and ruin German' finance. Wo should cripple, cramp, squeeze, and destroy her, trade, The British Board of Trade is looking ahead. Peace might come very much sooner than some expect. Th'o real trouble will be when the war is ended, and Germany is beaten on sea and land. She might wish to embark on a new economic campaign, and it will be necessary, when making'peace, to see that slio does not raise lier head." Continuing, Mr. Runciman said that notwithstanding that the imports had gone up and the exports had come down, the economic strength of the Empire was so well-founded i'hat we stood the strain' better than the Central Powers. It was clearly by the cconomio pressure that we would be able to persuade the German Government of the fruitlessuess of continuing the struggle. Wo must dismiss the idea of free trade within the Emp'ie, but ho was not prepared altogether to dismiss the idea of a Zollvnrein, including the Allies. The difficulties of such a scheme, however, were very great. If a Zollverein between the Empire and the Allies would end the war we should have a Zollverein. "Wo are prepared for any arrangement to bring ffie war to a successful issue." The' House agreed to Mr. Hewins's motion.