"HOSTILE FEELING"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 107, 30 January 1920, Page 7

"HOSTILE FEELING"

DOMINIONS AND AMERICA

VISITOR VOICES PROTEST

A feeling of hostility to tho United States which ho has observed in Australia and New Zealand prompted Sir. T. Y,. Burton, a former member of the AJjiitod Sthtos Senate, to make some outsnnlcen remarks in l.ho course of an interview with an Auckland "Herald" reporter.

"During a visit of nearly two months in Australia and Now Zealand," said Mr. l.turton, "I have been much annoyed and more surprised at numerous manifestations of unfriendliness to the United Stales. This is tho more incomprehensible to me because in my own country tho feeling' is one of 'unalloyed Rood-will for Canada, Australia, nnil New Zealand, and of admiration for their splendid part in the Into war, Thoro are some occasions for friction with the Mother Country—happily less now llian formerly—but thoro has been nothing to interrupt the spirit of amity which we entertain to tha Dominions. This mifriendliness which I have noticed has been exhibited in newspaper attacks, such as ono ridiculing the sacred name of President Lincoln and comparing his trials in the great Civil AVar with thoso of Lord Beaoonsfield in tho rising of tho Ashnntees; also in violent and usually ignorant attacks upon American commercial and political policies, in which the so-called Webh-Pomereno Act and tho action of tho Senate upon .th Peaco Treaty are especially selected.

"Tho inevitable result of such exhibitions must be to strengthen the opponents of the League of Nations Covenant and to diminish tho effectiveness and oven tho zeal of its advocates, among whom I may claim to be one of tho most earnest. This is a timo for world-wide co-operation, particularly among .English speaking countries to secure a new order in tho world. Peace can be obtained only by a due regard for tho diverse opinions, interests, and traditional ; policies of tho _ _ various peoples. I am still of the opinion that the vast majority of my countrymen, desire to enter into an engagement of the eoneral nature of the League of Nations toi prevent future wars and inaugurate ft new era after all the frightful suffering, and bloodshed which the world has endured.

The Webb-Pomerene Act. "But other countries must recognise the powerful influence iii America of a public opinion which demands the greatest, possible'detachment from the political complications of other continents. To this must be added some unfortunate, personal and political antagonisms which should bo swept aside, and the lack of a proper understanding between President Wilson and many members of the Senate, including some of his own party. I verily believe, however, that with temperate consideration of the all-important pending problems at home and abroad a wise and helpful decision will bo reached. "I note that a loud outcry has been raised against tho Wfcbb-Ponierene Act/" continued Mr. Burton. "Tho aim of this legislation has been entirely misconstrued. Jt is not to secure a monopoly of any foreign market, but to place domestic producers' of limited cnpital who desire to, engage :ii foreign trade as nearly as possible upon nn equal footing willi powerful organisations, both domestic and foreign. We hrve at least one corporation which is capitalised at over a billion of dollars. What chance in competition with this company would u loanufacturor lwve with a capital of only a tew hundred-thousand dollars? Foreign hade under modern conditions requires large resources, and is often conducted in its beginnings at a loss. Again, ihoro have for a lontj time existed such organisations as tho cartels of Germany and the largely capitalised export houses of Great Britain.

"Tho largo corporations which have l-een recently organised in tho United Slates for participation in foreign trade, and which seem to be such a frightful 'Dugaboo' to some are not for the most, part combinations under the WebbPomerene Act of smaller manufacturers for export trade. 'I'hey have in view buying as well as fellings. Their manrpcrs realise that our phenomenal balance of exports over imports cannot continue indeiinitely, and that a more normal adjustment must bo secured by increased purchases from abroad, and by extending "needed credits to countries impoverished or crippled by tho war. ■Especially for these..credits largo capital is required—the larger tho better. i Differential Tarifl Deprecated, .

"The -exemption of tho combinations of exporters iroiu tho. provisions of tho unli-trust law is not such an exception to domestic policy as would at first night appear. That law served a usciul purpose. lam glad to say I voted for it in the summer of 1880; but It was framed to prevent-, practices whichnow- have largely disappeared. Tho pic-sent policy of our Government is to lay/fctress upon the prevention of monopoly, dishonesty and fraud. It is rccog niscil that in this day cnterprilses can be conducted very successfully and helpfully on a co'ossal scale. The law is interpreted according to tho rule of reason, and '.no fiizq of an organisation is not consid-.red as rendering it unlawful, piovided' its business is conducted in Evch a way nf. to servo the general, welfare.

"I notice tint a proposition has been advanced ; n New Zealand to ldvy a (.iscriminating duty of 20 per cent, on im. ports from America, and this apparently was received with enthusiasm. Well, that is for New Zealand to decide. Ng doubt we can worry along, even if such an unfriendly slap in tho faco should be administered. But with the utmost deference I suggest that finch a measure, or any measure increasing differentials against us, is likely to return to plague its authors.

"I trust Hint a mom amicable spirit \»av become universal." Mr. Burton concluded, "ami that' if I should have Iho n'ood fortune to see Australia and New '/.cnland again there may he an entire nbsencc nf these pin-pricks linmi Hie peoole of the United States which are so disappointing to those of us who have laboured in season and out of season for friendship and goodwill among all the great branches of the Eiirlisli race." ,

tho end of the year. He suggested Uip.t the system of rebates might be rondo illegal in New- Zealand as it w> s ill H| e United States. Ho spoke also of the vrong done by the British Government in handing over their steamers to Lord Jncbeape's Combine. "Mr. ilnssey 6aid lie would not discuss tho policy of the British Government. He was prepared to defend tho policy of the New Zealand Government, but more than that ht would not nn-lertako. After further discussion with Sir Walter Buebanan. 11 r. Mnsscy said that New Zealand could load a hundred cargoes of produce in ono year. That was a considerable trade, and the t.rado was increasing. Ho thought it wis a trade worth keeping, and he thought there should bo no difficulty in entering hilo some .arratwrnoiit with t)ho shipping companies for the carrying on of the business. Wo should not divvo away l:ho ships wo li.-id hero until moro we.r? obtainable-,