BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

MR. HUGHES. ... THE CONVERSION OF LA 808. - A PAPER'S COMPLIMENT. Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. London, March 20. The Evening Standard states that Mr. Hiiylms, of all men, is the man to complete the conversion of British Laborites from the doctrines of hampering their usefulness as a national force. Whatever mistakes Labor made in Australia, its motto has ever Jjeen "Australia for the Australians," not "Australia for an international proletariat." Wisely dealt with, organised Labor might' be a priceless element in our national stability. THE PARIS CONFERENCE. MR. HUGHES MAY ATTEND. - Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. London, Marcli 20. In his speech Mr. Hughes explained that it would be much better that he should attend the Paris conference, as a British Minister could not know Australia's wishes on trade matters. This was all Mr. Hughes would say. It is understood, however, that there is a likelihood of his being asked to attend a conference to.be held on April 15, when there would be time for him to hear the views of delegates and then deliver a speech showing Australasia's opinion. He would have to return to England early, as he is leaving on April 20. ALLIES' REPRESENTATIVES. A mesage from Paris states that Britain, Prance. Russia, Belgium, Italy, Serbia, and Portugal-will be represented. W. M. HUGHES, PC. Mr. Hughes will, on Tuesday, be sworn in as a Privy Councillor, NOT CANADA'S AMBASSADOR. Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. London, March 20. There is still nothing definite settled about the Paris conference, but it is known that Mr. Hughes is so far not invited. When questioned to-night, Mr. Hughes said: "The Australian Government is anxious I should attend. I also am prepared to go, as I could present the views of Australia on trade questions." It was pointed out to Mr. Hughes that a message from a Canadian journalist states that Canada is desirous of his attending the conference. Mr. Hughes stated that although he knevr. generally, the principles whereon Canada was prepared to proceed, lie was unacquainted with the details He repeated that he was not the ambassador of Canada.

A GREAT SPEECH. BY MR, BALFOUR. Received March -21, 5.~> p.m. London, March 20. Mr. Hughes was entertaine4 at lunch at the City Carlton Club. Mr. Balfour welcomed him, and said that two stages of colonial history had passed. The first was when the Mother Country extend her guidance; the second was the statesmen's realisation that the colonies must be given freedom to expand and develop in their own way, Some people regarded colonial independence as the half-way house to colonial separation, but that had never been his (Mr. Balfour's) opinion. The third stage was yet to be accomplished (and it would tax the highest statesmanship in Britain and her dominions), namely, the bringing into closer intimacy and union, organically as well as sentimentally and patriotically, . the great communities whose wisdom told them that they must work out their own salvation. And yet they knew that self-realisation can only be adequately pursued by thus bringing a great evolution to its proper climax, and not remaining as separate communities. scattered world-wide, but by forming a united Empire, the separate parts thereof feeling they would be unhampered by belonging to the whole, and realising that only by belonging to such an Empire can they make the best for themselves. ;

TRADE AFTER THE WAR. A PLAIN DECLARATION WANTED. In reply, Mr. Hughes said that among the chief causes of the war was Germany's desire to wrest from Britain her industrial and commercial supremacy. Britain must kill the hope that still buoys Germany up, so that after the war Germany will be unable to win back her position in commerce and industry. He repeated his opinion that 'the trade policy of Britain after the war ought to be declared without delay. If a plain and unambiguous declaration were made now the effect would be tremendous. Mr. Hughes, referring to the present effect of the war on Britain's economic life, said the effect of the withdrawal of millions of people engaged in the production of necessaries meant that after the war there must be a systematical exploiting of every resource. r ", .1 ■ ) * IMPORTED LUXURIES. 4 A DRASTIC ORDER SHORTLY. " London, March 20. The American 'Associated Press publishes an interview with Mr. Runciman, who states that Britain will shortly issue a far-reaching Order-in-Council totally prohibiting the importation of luxuries from all countries, including tile Dominions. Tho issue of the order has been forced on the country entirely owing to the shortage of tonnage. Motor-cars, musical instruments, cutlery, hardware, yarns, chinaware, fancy goods and soap are banned. Referring to the post-war condition of the workers, Mr. Runciman states that he believes Labor will find itself in much tfca «»ie position at the end as at the btirtr aa«.