EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1923, Page 3

EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT.

si-icon by mi! ulus i-:. AUSTRALIAN AND N. 7.. CAtILE ASSOCIATION (Received this day at 0.0 a.m.) BONBON, October 2.5. Mr Bruce, speaking at the British Chamber of Commerce dinner, in urg ing the need of develo]iing Empire industries. said that the defence ni the Empire so far had been secure, hut this defence largely rested on a . omniervial status. At the present inomec.t the position of Britain amongst vhe eomniereial nations of the world was in most serious jeopardy. The future would become perilous unless something .Jtitas done to restore British industry. I here did not seem much scope for it in chaotic Europe, but tlier,. was an immediate place for it in the great overseas Empire, lie challenged the contention that in developing the Empire, Britain would cut oil her European trade. He advocated the establishment throughout the Empire of such industries as were suited to them. Then perhaps the time might conic when the ideal of Empire free trade might

be considered. He pressed the need of ensuring that the Empire was going to he ouis before we proceeded with its development by getting into a position in which we could depend on the great trade mutes. Britain's sea power must he maintained at an adequate point. Some pinned their faith to the (League of Nations, hut it had not 1 eacfie<L»a point where it could he depended upon to save us. AVe must have a requisite force to defend our interests. It had been stated that the aerial delence of Britain was more important than a naval base in the Pacific. He recognised the importance of Britain's defence but the pi election of the Pacific was equally important. He might to accused of interference in domestic alfairs but when the safety of the Empire depended on the safety of the heart, of the. Empire, that must he his excuse for his seeming interference.

DOMINION'S SHOULD HAVE FIRST CLAIM. jit-jceivcd this) day at 0.15 u.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25. Mr Bruce speaking tit a dinner at (he National Farmers* Union, urged the promotion of agriculture in Rrittiin and the Dominions as the one hope for industrial Britain. lie declared that the Dominions were agreed that Britain should he the first market for British agriculture, hut asked, that thereafter the dominions should have the lirst claim for supplying the British market with commodities not procurable in Britain. The Dominions wanted markets in Britain hut if unsuccessful they would procure them elsewhere. The main cause of the trouble was the freedom of the British market to all competitors, While thankful for the Government's offer of preference he hoped the flovernment would do more. .Mr Bruce roundly condemned the Russian wheat agreement as against the interest of Dominions and concluded: “Hive Dominion agriculture a chance and we will provide a market as good as Russia in each of (he seven seas of the world.”