EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1929, Page 1

EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT

SIR ROBERT HAD FIELD’S PLAN. LONDON, July 28. In his speech at the last annual* .meeting of Hadfields, Ltd., Sir Robert Hadfiekl, Bart., directed attention to the need for a fund from. which large developmental projects in the overseas Empire, calling for the supply of British equipment, could be financed. The suggestion aroused considerable interest, and Sir Robert has now put forward a series of proposals for Empire development on organised lines, a part of the plan being the creation of a development fund. Here, Sir Robert points out. we have a crowded population and a shortage of work; in other parts of the Empire are vast territories awaiting development. We require something additional to our existing administrative and executive machinery in order that our Empire needsand opportunities may he co-ordinated.’

To meet that , need- the appointment of a permanent Empire Development Board is suggested. This would he representative of the whole Empire, and would have an organisation and personnel in each important country. The services of highly paid experts should be at its command. The function of the board would he to utilise the Empire Development Fund by initiating large schemes of transportation, power development, etc., and by introducing new industries into the dominions and colonies. First-haud knowledge of the needs of these countries would be gained by the board as a result o*f investigations and conferences on 1 the spot. When completed, the various undertakings would be handed over to the authority prepared to assume the financial liabilities. An alternative method of providing funds is bv raising loans for specific projects. Employment, trade and migration could he increased by these means, urges Sir Robert, who invites constructive criticisms ol his proposals. He emphasises that the Empire Development Board should command the best brains in the Empire, and that it should be free from the influence of party politics.