SOUTH AFRICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1916, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA.

TRADE AFTER THE WAR. DISCUSSION PREMATURE. "A SOUND HIDING FIRST." Capetown, April li On a Unionist motion urging the Government to discuss after the war trade regulations with the Imperial Government, with a. view to concerted action by the Government, General Botha said he regarded the motion as premature, and declared emphatically: ''We should first devote our attention to giving Germany a sound hiding. (Cheers.) After that there will be ample time to deal with the fiscal question." Mr. Burton, Minister of Railways, said the Imperial Government would not act without consulting the Dominions. The war had undoubtedly caused a tremendous revolution in the relations of the Empire, but co-ordination in defence was much more important than in trade.

. Mr. Burton hoped it would soon be possible to draw the commercial bonds closer, but dissented ft'om the idea of killing German trade after the war, which was impossible. It also implied a trade war after peace.

He added that General Botha had been invited to London similarly to Mr. Hughes, but was unable to accept the invitation, ■ South Africa was confident that the Imperial Government would keep it advised of the results of the Paris conference. The question of sending a South African representative was left to the Government.

Mv. Hprtzog said he was willing to consider Imperial union for trade and defence, but the former should not be shackled by European trade conditions. TO HELP IN THE WEST. MILLIONAIRE MAGNATE'S OFFER. Received April 13., 8.45 p.m. April 13. Sir Joseph Robinson has ofliered a very large sum lo assist in the despatch of fifty thousand South Africans to help Britain on the Western front. He says that Britain requires assistance to defeat the enemy there, and urges the Government to follow the examples of the Canadians and Australasians. CAPETOWN'S ESCAPE. ■ Received April 13, S.J p.m. Johannesburg, April 12. Mr. Lionel Phillips, in a war address, said that AdmiraJ von Spee's defeat was fortunate, as he intended to bombard Capetown.