The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1916. PROHIBITION OF ENEMY TRADING.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1916. PROHIBITION OF ENEMY TRADING.

The debate which took place in the House of Lords on Tuesday last relative to the business to be considered by the forthcoming Paris conference was very opportune, and it should be the means of clearing up many erroneous ideas concerning the object of that gathering of delegates. It appears from the statement made by the Marquesß of Crewe (Lord President of the Council) that the primary suggestion for a conference of the Allies emanated from the French Government towards the close of last year, it being considered advantageous to arrive at a common ground on economic questions without sacrificing the freedom of the respective countries. Lord Crewe also stated that the conference would discuss current matters that had arisen- during the progress of the war, including that of a joint agreement upon the prohibition of enemy trading, out the most vital point of the discussion will probably centre on the reconslitution of the Allies' trade and' securing independence. Tiere is a settled conviction in the minds of many prominent politicians and a still larger number of the peace-at-any-pi-ice public that the object of the conference is to arrange a scheme of retaliatory vengeance on the Germans for their savage conduct of the war. There is no justification for such an erroneous idea. It is measures of economical defence, not aggression, that will occupy the attention o: the conference. For the sake of illustration the phrase trade war has been used in a figurative sense, but what U aimed at is an cconsiuic alliance which will simply leave Germany out in the cold so far as her international trade and commerce are concerned, though it may involve the penalising of her shipping business. The Allies are determined not to contribute towards the rehabilitation of the enemy's finances after the war, for they well know that if Germany were to resume her commercial campaign where it was broken off at the outbreak of hostilities, another and far more ferocious conflict would take place in the not distant future. This must be rendered absalutely impossible, hence the suggested alliance in self-defence. The poison, Lord Crewe feared, had permeated too deeply into German character for the Allies to look forward to the epoch when they could take down the shutters and re-commonee business on the old lines, as'though there had only been a riot. That is the crux oE the whole matter. The contribution to the debate made by Lord Bryce was, as might have been expected, akin to tke pouring of oil on troubled waters. Admitting that the Allies had received strong provocation for permanent hostility to the Germans, he wisely advocated that "our' passion should not overcome our reason."' His main peint, however, was one that will receive a large measure of endorsement, for it traversed the question of the discussion concerning postwar trade being too previous, and he emphasised the fact that it was impossible to foresee the commercial conditions that would prevail after the. war. There is much force in the contention, and the delegates shsuld certainly bear the point in mini. At the same time there is not much dang-er that any definite action will be taken by the conference, its real business being rather to arrive at a common ground on economic questions. This may be taken to mean that only general principles will Ve determined, as a basis for further discussion when the proper time arrives. There can be no sound objection to the Allies ascertaining how they stand in relation to the question »f securing economic independence of the enemy. Whatever decisions are arrived at by the conference will bo mere expressions ti opinion, and it will be for the various Govenimi'iiLs concerned to consider whether the decisions are acceptable or not. Probably several cunferences may be necessary before a common understanding is reached as to basic principles, and at the close of the war, when the existing commercial conditions are ascertained, there sheuld be a fully representative council to frame a workable scheme that will shut out Germany from partaking in the trade and commerce of the countries upsn whom she has inflicted such heavy burdens and losses. It will be no easy task to arrive at a scheme which will satisfy all concerned, but by avoiding the known pitfalls, especially those concerning free trade ond protection, the object in view should be achieved. There is plenty of time ii: which to bec»me accustomed to the idea of an allied tr.ui.; an;' commerce defence. The fo'tlionniiiig conference is merely a preliminary sketching 0 f the -round plans, so that alarmists May take heart of grace, inasmuch as the delegates to the conference are not at ell likely to approach the matter in the spirit of red. hot malignity, but rather with beeeming gravity and in a spirit ill justice, on which depends the future advancement of civilisation and freedom.