CUTTING OUT THE CANCER OF GERMAN TRADE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2723, 18 March 1916, Page 5

CUTTING OUT THE CANCER OF GERMAN TRADE

VIEWS OF MR. HUGHES

NATIONAL AND IMPERIAL ORGANISATION

URGED

By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright > London, Maroh 16. Mr. Hughes, at the Imperial Council of Commerce dinner, declared that the cutting out of the cancer of German trade was no tusk for weaklings. Only by the supremest effort can we take advantage of the tremendous opportunity. Many wish England to win, but do not wish so much to be prepared to regard everything else, not only in life, but wealth and business, as dross. But that is the only spirit by which victory can be won. The policy of leaving the broad principles of this great question until after tho war was a phantom which would lead to destruction. What lie suggested was an eoonomic revolution, but we must face and settle the question. The British policy of laissea faire was no more suited to tho present circumstances than a savage's blowpipe was fitted to face a Nordenfeldt gun. The change involved was more than fiscal. The change involved- a self-contained Empire. Since the war, owing lo til© Navy, we had had time to make good the almost criminal neglect of the past. TF Great Britain had listened to Lord Roberts and been as ready on land as on sea in all probability the peace of the world would never have been broken. ' Nof impossible to Create a True Organic union of Empire. Mr. Herbert Samuel (Secretary of State for Home Affairs), replying to the toast of "Tile Imperial Ministry, *' said the Government had unshakeable confidence in the ultimate result of the war. They felt confident that the Dominions would rally to the flag, and that confidence had been fully justified. There was a widespread feeling that after the war we would be unable to enter again into friendly trade relations with our enemies. Before Parliament undertakes the remodelling of-trade relations a great number of difficult problems require consideration, which is now being given them. Wo have to consider not only commercial, but constitutional, questions. He thought the present constitution of the Empiro could not be its final form. For himself, he could say that the Mother Country was very ready to atlmii the Dominions to share in decisions of policy as soon as the Dominions were, ready. It was not impossible that we would be able to create a true organic union of Empire without detriment to tho freedom of each of itp parts.

COMMENTS OF THE LONDON NEWSPAPERS London, March 16. The."Times" says that Mr. Hughes's speech has all the'qualities of true statesmanship. It suggests that the Government should ask Mr. Hughe® to go to the Paris Conference, 'though tho people of Canada, Now Zealand, and South Africa might think it invidious that they were, not represented. The "Daily Chronicle," in a leader, describes the speech as a strong, almost a missionary, plea for national and Imperial organisation, and a fundamental change of current ideas of government as applied to economical and national 'matters. Mr. Hughes's natural unfamiliarity with internal British politics tends to make the application of his,theory less striking than tlie theory itself. The "Evening Standard." in an amusing leader headed, "Samson and the Philistines," warns Mr. Hughes not to lose the precious quality of virility. The "Standard" says: "Civilisation has advanced so far that it does not kill dangerous statesmen, but dines them and dazzles them with fair women instead. But Mr. Hughes knows,- as Mr. Asquith does not, that a gigantic dumping scheme is being elaborated to enable Germany to recover _ her lost markets. The social engines are already mobilised against him. We. hope he will not be perturbed by : ' the seductions of Mr. Lewis Harcourt. ■ Tho British people aro looking for inspiration from our leaders. They find it at last hi this visitor from the Antipodes." I The "Westminster Gazette" says: "Mr. Hughes said nothing with which we cannot all agree, but there is danger that his splendid aspirations may have interested certain schools as an endorsement of their narrow policies." The "Pall Mall Gazette" says: "The speech is the boldest, most imaginativefand clearest-sighted utterance on an important question since Mr. Chamberlain retired."

ALARM IN AUSTRALIAN POLITICAL CIRCLES London, March 16. The "Daily Chronicle's" Melbourne correspondent cables that the British Coalition Ministers' speeches published, in Australia, convoying an intention to consider a scheme of closer political union between Australia and the Motherland, have caused alarm in political circles, lest Mr. Hughes encourage it. Mr, Hughes has declined to comment./ ENGLAND NOW CONTAINS NOTHING BUT CHURCHILLS. - ("Times" and Sydney "Sun." Services.; (Rec. March 17, 5.10 p.m.) London March 16.

The German Press is commenting-on. Mr. Hughes's visit. , The "Cologne Gazette" says: "Wo are not anxious. The English and Australians are only able to strike German trado a blow similar to their victories on land. In.economic matters tliey should beware of a Gallipoli. Judged by Mr. Hughes's speech England now contains nothing but Chiirchills."