The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1931. INTER-EMPIRE TRADING.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1931. INTER-EMPIRE TRADING.

The value of the .spacle work done at the* Imperial Conference in regard to trade preference within the empire, is being slowly revealed, At the outset the matter took on the political partisan aspect at Home, where the great parties in the political arenaare ranged under the respective banners of Free Trade and Protection, tree trade has stood four square to most of the political 'breezes over a long time. There are instances where a, temporary measure of protection has had to be acknowledged, but in the main Great Britain has stood firmly for free trade. There are signs now that,.this question of inter-Empire trading may be removed from the arena of (politics. At the close of the year there were two significant messages cabled from London, In one, preferences were urged directly from an influential source. The message read: “Deploring the Imperial Conference’s failure to awaken the British Government to a full sense of a vast opportunity presented by a reciprocal preferential understanding on a carefully considered basis with the dominions, India and the colonies, the Empire Industries Association's New Year message declares that no more hopeful outlook regarding unemployment can be foreshadowed in the absence of a policy equalising Great Britain’s competition in the world markets. It adds that owing to the British attitude with her kin, the' Empire, instead of being an association in one great scheme of economic unity, is a mere series of unite providing an outlet for the competitive products of every foreign country.” 1,1 the second instance, the non-poli-tical aspect was urged, also from an influential quarter, the message statiim: “Sir Hebert- Harfield, a leading industrialist, commenting on the deplorable position of industry in Britain, said that he is of the opinion, that the solution lies in the optablishnient of an Empire Development Board on which men of goodwill from all parties should sit, and over which General Jan iSmuts should preside. Sir Robert Hadliekl added: ‘He is the man to help the Empire in a critical .juncture, and to bring ns together with the single aim and purpose of developing the Empire for the good of all.” These 'messages are significant. In the fir'et place, the general situation at Home is summarised very clenil.v. The unemployment issue is rar Horn solved in Britain. It contains a serious menace to the country, and is still a crushing burden. Something heroic requires to be done, and of all the political remedies, there is nothing of greater promise than preference trading within the Empire for all parts would enjoy the benefits or the scheme, and the universal effect would be most marked. In the second ,

place, the proposal by Sir Robert. Hadfiell to make the subject a national >ssue rather than a party one, provides the way out for tlie strong partisan bound by political party ties to the great parties over long years. And the proposal is commendable because of the suggestion to create a Chairman of the proposed Empire Development Board in the person of General Jan Snmte. The General is a firm Iteliever in the Commonwealth of British Nations It was for that lie gave his great talents over the war period in the -service of the British, and lie performed notable work. The choice appears to he eminently satisfactory, for General Smuts is removed from the old political ties of the Motherland, and has the more progressive view of the oversea nations, who being afar off, see the more of the trade conflict now in worldwide operation. The movement now suggested along the lines indicated, should catch the public imagination and find favour generally. The political die-hards adhering to free trade, will not readily give up their ideals. Much more will be heard about the taxing of the people’s food, but worse than Unit is happening now in the general burden of the taxation imposed on the nation to succour those out of work. Under a gpeat ‘Empire scheme possible within the vast Empire controlled by Great Britain, there should be work for all. The scheme has universe possibilities, arid if puf in train will create new hope round the Empire. Tt is of the character which well might be removed from the sphere of party politics, and that stem would be the I test guarantee of nil for the ultimate success, ’[he matter is‘of supreme importance to the national life, and its further advocacy at Home may he fully anticipated.