FEDERAL TREASURER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 195, 13 May 1920, Page 5

FEDERAL TREASURER

OBJECTS OF MISSION TO LONDON ! SCHEME FOR DEALING WITH ; . EMPIRE'S DEIiTS By Telegrapli—Press ABSoCiatien-OopyrigM (Reo. May 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 11. Mr: W. A. Watt, Australian Federal ; Treasurer, outlined to a gathering of British journalists tho i objects of his mission! Ho hoped, he said, jto have the opportunity while in Britain of Studying the world's financial conditions, . which • would inevitably exercise a potent influence in a young and numerically small community like Australia, whose duty 'it was to develop 1 and ' guard . its large and fertile 1 territory. The people of Australia entertained string opinions on the. payment of reparation by Germany. Whether British opinion on the subject had become'more indulgent in the past twelve months or not he was uii,able to judge, but Australia's conviction had not altered, and she looked to a resolute observance of the Treaty. The Australian public did not Want German goods. He would be.very much surprised if -Australia's portals were Opened to German trade-in the present gen- ' eration. He had not f-ome with complaints, but simply to have a talk ; on family business. He had propounded a scheme for dealing with the Empire's debts, but so far had not received a reciprocal reply.' "John Bull and Company" had not held enough meetings of the Board of Directors. A firm, eo huge could - not be run altogether by correspondence and cablegrams. t Tli© junior partners might not hold ■ identical opinion with the senior, but a consideration of. the different points of view would avert misunderstandings and conduce to unity and harmony. Australia was keen on her job, and the principal job was to preserve the great Southern outpost for the British people. Australians had a religious'pride of blood and faith in the Empire partnership. ■ They had emerged from the grim struggle more resolutely' British than before. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE GERSmNDEM . STTATCF. EXPECTED' BY AUSTRALIA. (Kc. May,l3, 0.35 a.m.) ■ London, May 12. The "Financial News" says: "Mr. Watt will Cause a flutter in the official dovecot. -Australia expects to get a good lump of the German indemnity in May, ' 1921. Moreover, Australia is determined not to do business with Germany. That is the kind of talk needful when German officials are 'frittering away milliards of money rather than meet, the liabilities to the Allies.. We fear, however, it will not secure the' indemnity."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Apsn, ,