The Dominion SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1916. FOR OUR EMPIRE AND ALLIES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2699, 19 February 1916, Page 4

The Dominion SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1916. FOR OUR EMPIRE AND ALLIES

The Patriotic Exhibition which is to be opened in the Town Hall this, afternoon deserves to be an unqualified success. It will afford the citizens of Wellington an opportunity of showing their patriotism in a practical way. It is a war exhibition — an incident in the great campaign against German trade which has already begun, and which will develop into a gigantic commercial struggle as sooii as the clash of armies is over. The Empire was not leady for the war; it is to be hoped it will be prepared for peace, and to grapple with the big Empire problems that will then press for solution. One of tho most urgent of these problems is tho creation of a self-supporting Empire and the establishment of closer trade relationships with our Allies. Tho Patriotic Exhibition comes at an opportune time. The war has taught us the folly of paying for German armaments by .buying German goods. We have learned this lesson at a great price. British goods for British people is to be our motto in future, and the things which cannot bo profitably produced within the Empire we intend in future to buy from the nations which are now fighting on our side against the common foe. The exhibition should enable the people of Wellington to form better ideas as to tho industrial capacities and possibilities of the British Empire. The exclusion of enemy goods is only the first step. Some people sceiii to think that the gap thus created cannot be filled, find that wo will eventually have _to go many again, or go without This erroneous idea must bo eradicated from the public m'ind. We may have to put up with some inconveniences for a time, but there are very few articles mado in which cannot bo made just as well_ in the British Empire or by our Allies. The Patriotic Exhibition should be tho means of imparting some useful information on this point. It will help to show what can and will be done to replace the German goods which formerly found their way in such large quantities into New Zealand and other parts of tho British Empire. The manager of a big London establishment recently stated that if the Government would guarantee to keep German goods out of tho country after the war the British manufacturers would be able to make articles as good and cheap as ever came from Sa;xony or Bavaria. "It is wonderful to see," he added, "what they have been able to produce, already." A well-planned industrial exhibition should provide a convincing. reply to tho pessimists who fear that wo will not be able to live withous the assistance of Germany.

It is one of tho boasts of Germany that we cannot do without her. Wo may take it for granted that sho is not going to allow herself to be permanently driven out of our markets without a great struggle. Tho war has ousted her foj- the time being, and it is our business to take good care that she does not regain hotfooting. Germany is going to wago the trade war with all her energy and resourcefulness. It will bo no easy matter to frustrate her tricks and resist her temptations. The Empire Aust organise a counter campaign on well-considered lines. Tho lullcr development of the almost unlimited resources of our own Em-

pire is the surest road to victory in this commercial conflict. Let us make our Empire as strong and sound as possible; as able and ready to support itself as to defend itself. This is the object of the All-for-Empire League which has been established in Wellington. This organisation has plenty of scope for its activities. Success in the coming economic struggle largely depends upon the creation of such a pronounced public sentiment in favour of Bri-tish-madc jroods that people will prefer to suffer inconvenience and go without if necessary rather than buy articles manufactured by our enemies. We must remember that it will take some time before the British industries which have been interrupted by the war are placed in full working order again. Wc may havo to exerciso a little- paticncc. There was a healthy ring in the appeal.to the Imperial'instincts of the British race made by Mr. W. G. Duthie at the AU-for-Empire meeting helcl at the Commercial Travellers' Club yesterday.

"If wc can't get cortnin British goods," ho paid "then, for God's sake, let us do without them. If the Empire; can t suppi v the goods to-day, then let Now,V,cnlniul wait, rattier than import coods with tho preferential duty off Hiem from neutral countries. I hopo that tins will not be permitted, or even considered, by any member of this club, especially at this time Wo can't do too much to help the Empire. Wc must 1)0 prepared to pay, pav pav, and r-o do our bit if we can v go "to tho front." (Applause.)

Tho sort of patriotism which is not prepared to make sacrifices for our Dominion and Empire is a very feeble thing. We must stand firm and resolute against all temptations to allow temporary interests to outweigh permanent principles. Tho blood that is being shccl by British soldiers for our safety should put to shame tho wretched spirit of misdirected economy that thinks more about the saving of a penny than the well-being of the Empire.