A WARNING.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1916, Page 5

A WARNING.

STRIKING PRESS COMMENT. •y Received March 21, 9,10 p.m. London, March 21. The Daily Telegraph, in a leading' article, says that if Britain and her Dominions resolve on a new trade policy on the lilies Mr. Hughes advocates the greatest Merman commercial interests are threateend with ruin. Germany believes that whatever may be talked by Britain nothing will be done in the way of Imperial reorganisation, and that British ports will still be open to German goods. At the end of the war powerful influences will be at work to prevent any serious change. The war had knocked out the policy of unrestricted laissez faire, and this was only satisfactorily replaceable by a system for providing the Empire with the beginning of an organised and fulWfledged Imperial trade policy. The Times eaye: We must realise that an organic union of Empire is an indispensible complement to British commercial organisation. Tiie Morning Post says that Mr. Hughes appealed for a definite statement. If Mr. Asquith refuses to be drawn, will Mr. Bonar Law and Mr. Chamberlain remain in a Cabinet which stands in the way o£ the policy they represent? The Daily Mail says that Mr. Hughes' call for an anti-German tariff union admits of no evasion. PUBLIC OPINION STIRRED. THE PARIS CONFEH'XCK. mr. II uojies' .vesrn n, Reecived March 22, 12.25 a.m. London, March 20. Mr. Hughes' striking speeches have stirred up British public opinion, which is being increasingly interested in the problems of the Dominions. Newspapers arc giving prominence to the speeches, referring gratefully to their determined tone. Some newspapers are commenting on the prevailing slackness o; the British governing circles upon Empire subjects, and are publishing criticisms of Mr. Asquith, and challenging the Government's hesitancy to invite Mr. Hughes to - attend the Allies' economic conference at Paris upon full representative terms. It is certain that Mr. Hughes will not attend the Paris conference if he is to be a mere onlooker and not given powers worthy of a representative of the great Dominions, Although Mr. Bonar Law's speech, in which he said that "a big step might be found as easy as a little one," is regarded a« an indication that something in the nature of a permanent voice ol the Dominions may, after the war, he admitted to the councils of the Empire, it must be remembered that Mr. Bonar Law emphasised that lie v.as not speaking for the Government. ( NO DETAiV.S GIVEN. Mr. Hughes has given no details of his definite proposals for closer relations, nor have the Canadian, South African, and New Zealand views been disclosed.' ' All realise that India'* claims and •iapan's positon in (he problem of the Pacific, are closely bound up witii the solution of this most delicate and vital ■ problem. | It is understood that Mr. Hughes has | not vet submitted definite proposals, and will possibly delay their submission unI til after the war.

POSTPONEMENT PROBABLE. Some papers consider that in view of the Government's unwillingness to deal with • the matter urgently the whole of the questoins affecting the status of the Dominions on matters of foreign policy might be remitted to a post-war Imperial Conference, as it is clear that the Imperial Government favors postponement of a settlement of the questions of e.'oser relations until the end of the war. Therefore, though a definite arrangement may be considered by an Imperial Conference after peace, there might then be more livelihod of its being acceptable. All aspects of Imperial relations are being actively discussed by the newspapers and in political clubs.

COMMERCIAL TYRANNY. MR. RUNCI MAN'S VIE WS. . . Received March 21, 11.15 p.m. New York, March 21. Sir. Runciman, in an interview with * representative of the United Press Association, said: "Peaceful preparations a? a means to the military end of war would never again be tolerated by England. Russia, and Italy, nor can we submit to the most favored nation elapses in our commercial treaties) being utilised to the detriment of the Allies. We must prevent Germany from again raising her helmet with the object of her using her resources and commercial relations with us for purposes of agression. "We are obliged to Germany for warning us of her intention to establish a customs union between the Central Powers on aggressive lines. This threatened economic war would be a permanent barrier to Europe's peaceful development. The British Empire will never attempt commercial 'tyranny, but will resist it by every means in their power.