Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 81, 11 March 1916, Page 6

Great Britain

~MR HUQHES’.IyiISSION. 3 PRESS COMMENT. [United Press Association.] (Received 8.5 a.m.) London, March 10. The Daily Chronicle, commenting on Mr Hughes’ mission, says: AA’e must be careful not to push the Neutrals into German markets or punish Germany at our own expense, but it will be wise to support a policy preventing ns from depending on Germany in our important industries; also, for safeguards against German commercial aggression.

The Daily Telegraph applauds Mr Hughes for emphasising the inter-re-lation of commerce and industry and national safety. Britain should imitate Germany therein, and they will find that the Dominions are with ns heart and soul. The Times : AVhile Sir Robert Borden created one precedent, Mr Hughes’ knowledge of Canadian and New Zealand opinion gives him a position of unusual authority in his relations with the Home Government. EMPIRE’E FISCAL POLICY. ■ S f INTERESTING DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. CHANGING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. London, March 10. In the House of Commons, Mr Robertson raised the question of the Government’s fiscal policy in connection with the approaching conference in Paris. He said, he would not"object if measures could be planned to keep Germany economically weak, provided it did not prove injurious to the Allies. He feared that a boycott would prevent Germany paying any indemnity. If preference was given to the Dominions over the Allies it would create the most serious difficulties, and if preference was given to the Allies over the nenerals, it would drive the latter into the Germans arms and place ourselves at a- disadvantage in exporting to America compared to Germany. Mr Asquith said there need be no apprehension that bur representations at the Paris conference would fetter the action of the Government or the House of. Commons. It was wise to participate in an exchange of views to get the changing economic conditions, which were due to the war producing an enormous destruction of capital and an unexampled dislocation of industry. AVe must not be led into a passion or desire to make tbe victory and seek to adopt measures which would inflict, greater injuries on ourselves than upon the enemy. The Government would not commit the country upon the matter, on which it must also consult the Dominions.