Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, JULY 22nd, 1920. BRITISH COMMUNITIES ABROAD.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, JULY 22nd, 1920. BRITISH COMMUNITIES ABROAD.

An illuminative report lias re' cently been issued by a Foreign Office Committee appointed to consider the means by which bis Majesty’s Government could (1) foster a greater spirit of solidarity among British communities abroad and (2,i .make British ideals more generally known and appreciated by foreign countries. The inquiry was naturally of a spmewhat delicate character, involving questions of high policy and «hu need for preserving international comity, while advancing legitimate British interests—political, social, and commercial—in foreign countries. Du. ring the war the value of well-directed propaganda was fully demonstrated mid its continuance in peace-time -,n the same or different lines was, therefore, a practical, as well as an ide d consideration. What had to be avoided was anything that might appear ’o lie an imitation of the least reputable methods of “peaceful pentratiort” which pur la.te enemies had developed to the ppiqt of direct assistance to their abo"‘ five efforts to se.cure world domination. Happjly,. the Foreign Office Committee had all these considerations in mind, and after receiving report? from li,is Majesty’s repnesfentativps abroad and examining several ' competent witnesses with focal knowledge of conditions in all parts of the world, besides a number of specially-prepared memoranda, have made various recommendations, which, if carried out, will rernov’ the reproach that as a world power we have been indifferent to all that is involved in the objects of the inquiry These are too' 'numerous to he particularised in detail, but the following ere of special interest to the commerc 'l world—“ That liig Majesty’s Government should do all in their power, without undue interference, to foster n j

greater spirit cvf solidarity among British communities abroad and make British ideals known to, and appreciated by, foreign nations; that it should be made known on every suitable opportunity to British subjects in foreign \eoujntries that' his Majesty’s Government take a sympathetic and active interest in their welfare. That his Majesty’s Government should encourage the formation in foreign c oun tries <?f British Chambers of Commerce fully representative of all the B.ri.t'sh interests 'Concerned. Subsidies, however, should not be granted. I,t should he impressed on his Majesty’s representatives that they should make as tub < use as possible of the knowledge -aid j experience of the Chambers by eoni suiting them on subjects affecting BrJi tish trade. In countries where the Chamber fulfils the following conditions viz., financial independence and stabilij tv, purely British control, full representation of local British interests, end unity of direction for the country in , which it is established, we rccommen 1 that it should be granted a special | foim of incorporation as an Imperii) Chamber of Commerce. That, in flic ' matter of commercial propaganda, Government assistance can best be rendered by the development of the com mercial side of the Diplomatic and Consular Services, the organisation of missions to investigate foreign markets the despatch of touring exhibitions of British products and the organisation of show-rooms abroad for frequently renewed exhibitions of British goods and that all possible encouragement and support should be given to the British aim industry.” Apart from these and other recommendations, tne report contains gratifying testimony to the extent to which the British commun 1 -

ties abroad have advanced British ideals amongst themselves and amongst them foreign neighbours.