The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1915. PATRIOTISM IN TRADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 15, 18 May 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1915. PATRIOTISM IN TRADE.

A strong effort is now being made by thoughtful people to educate Britishers in all parts of the Empire to the facts regarding patriotism in trade, and how in the past, through British tolerance and generosity, our bitter, envious enemies have heneiitted. The Christchurch Press ably discusses this question, and in doing so says it is not necessary to show that all the goods we require can be obtained from our Empire, or from nations who are allies or who have remained neutral during this war. he require no goods “made in Germany, and wo do not need to employ German ships to carry our goods. If this is so, why should we employ Germans to manufacture for us? We ought not to forget the conduct of Germany. Her conduct is unmentionable amongst all civilised peoples, and if we do not show our resentment of her actions, we arc approving of her violation of treaties, of conventions, and of the rules of war, and of her murderous methods of warfare, these are incontrovertible facts, but to give effect to the just resentment felt, our contemporary urges', organisation is required. The organisation should be first of Now Zealand, but to be effective it must include our Australian neighbours “What, then, should he dune?” asks the Press, and goes on to answer: —“We must resolve liist of all to buy no German goods, and second, to employ no German ships. An association with this aim should he formed with branches in every town in the Dominion. A pledge should ho given that these two resolutions would be carried out. Were Australia to unite with ns in such a pledge, something would he accomplished. But wo must go further to make the association effective. We must resolve that we will not trade with any merchants that deal in goods “made in Germany.” Germany must remain lor at least half a century beyoml the pale el' civilised nations. Wo should not visit her territory nor treat her as in existence Public opinion is.

in our opinion, ripe tor such a Periotic movement as we have described. Wo have no ' v organisations to eneour,o<ro trade with our Empire. Such an organisation is useful, but it docs not go far enough. It can he aided, however, by the new organisation we propose. Two such organisations may work harmoniously together. The one will help the other. Their aims are one, but Jbe new organisation will be more effective in reaching the goal of a true Kmpire trade. How. it may bo asked, is this association to he formI Tin >re seems little difficulty in creating it. Hot there lie at onee started an association in every town, and representatives could draw up a short set ot rules. Tet the pledges run something like this: (T) f pledge myself to purchase no goods made in Germany, and to use no vessels belonging to Germany; (-) I pledge myself to purchase no goods of any

kind fmm any merchant that .sells goods made in Germany.”' . . ■ -Get ns act, and so act that the Kaiser and his will over regret having violated the commandments moral people obey, and enllnred and civilised nalions uphold. Neither criticism nor den uncia!'.mi will deter them trom their criminal acts, hat the contemplation hy a trading nation of isolation, and an ah;.mice of trade, will teach I horn such a lesson that they will live to regret their base, disgraceful, and criminal conduct. Let New ( Zealand set this example to the other. Dominions and possessions ol the Kmpire and to Britain. H such an as-j eoeiation is formed, it will, if thej pledges are kc'|>t, do as much lor ourj Empire as its great Navy and gallant' armies have done. Who will startj the association moving?”