CRUSHING GERMANY'S TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1916, Page 4

CRUSHING GERMANY'S TRADE.

Mr. W. Ilewins, iLP., chairman of the Unionist Business Committee, lias performed a useful service in bringing before the House of Commons a scheme having fpr its object the shortening of the war by coming to an agreement with the Allies and the British dominions relative to united action concerning an economic policy directed against Germany. Mr. Ilewins bases his scheme on Hie fact that seventy-five per cent, of German trade was done with European Powers and the British Empire, and he rightly contends that the resources of the Empire should 110 longer be exploited in the interests of our enemies. It was the possession of this trade that enabled Germany to prepare for and carry

on the war, and now that our eyes liavc 'boon rudely opened to the mischief wrought thereby, it is time to make that system impossible in the future. The adoption of an economic zollverein of the Empire and the Allies is one that presents many difficulties, some possibly insuperable, but the suggested agreement merits serious and favorable consideration. The two main benefits to be evolved are—(l) Making the Empire as far as possible self-contained, and thereby placing imports and exports on a more favorable basis; and (2) depriving our enemies of the means for financial recuperation after the war and thus securing a prolongation of the period of peace. No greater blow could lit given to Germany than to cut off her trade, and Mr. Hewing argues on sound lines when he contends that the fear ot the consequences of such a drastic policy would not only create a panic in Germany, but would materially shorten the war, for Germany is relying on the possession of her trade, as in the past, in order to adjust the depreciation of her currency consequent on the enormous issue of paper instead of coinage. Hitli-

• to Britain and her Allies have been content to receive enormous supplies of goods from Germany that could really be produced by themselves, though possibly not quite so cheaply. Xecessity knows 110 law, and if the war brings about no other beneficial result, it will at least have taught the much-needed lesson of the imperative need for producing the goods hitherto imported from enemy countries. Britain and the dominions have within their reach a weapon that Germany will never cease to feel, so that the keener and more powerful that weapon is made, the more completely and satisfactorily will it do its work. It is satisfactory to note that Mr, Runciman, the Minister who spoke in the debate, said it was clearly by economic pressure that we would he able to persuade the German Government of the fruitlessness of continuing the struggle. He rightly remarked that the idea of free trade within the Empire must be dismissed, but that the idea of a zollverein, in spite of the difficulties it presented, might bo discussed, and the House, by agreeing to Mr. Hewins' motion, accepted the principle it contained. The next step is that of evolving a workable scheme that will be, acceptable by the British Government, the dominions and the Allies. As a preliminary, a draft could bp prepared in London by the representatives of the countries concerned and then submitted to the respective Governments for their approval, amplification of modification, it being understood that no agreement should l>o arrived fit until a conference was held at which the various countries would ho represented by responsible Ministers. The preliminary step would merely be a frame on which to work, but it would save much valuable time, and if the views of the governments concerned were interchanged before the conference was held it would facilitate arriving at a Anal decision. Meanwhile, the proposals should be regarded as strietly confidential. It is inevitable that there must be a council held to discuss peace terms when the time arrives for such a step to be taken, and the trade question can be. dealt with at the same time. There has been some talk of a projected visit by Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward to England. It is to be hoped that the Dominion will not he put to the heavy expense involved in such avisit until there are matters of supreme importance rendering their presence there imperative. The need for economy is paramount, and until peace terms are about to be considered our Ministers should not visit England unless at their own expense.