OTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1917, Page 5

OTHER COUNTRY.

TRADE AFTER THE WAR. JPRESS COMMENTS. London, February 21. The Daily Chronicle says no one will disagree with the Balfour Committee's fast resolution—the necessity of stimulating production, and agreement upon Dominion preference may not be difficult- The third resolution, in favor of (wider duties which will be reducible upon .Dominion products, is distinctly controversial, and involves a direct

jplunge into Mr. Chamberlain's Imperial preference. Mr. Chamberlain's gloomy prophecies have not been fulfilled, despite the adherence to free trade, but we shall be glad to see the question carefully re-examined. i In post-war negotiations we must consider the Allies, and must not hold out post-war threats against neutrals, while B barrier against Germany after the war {will drive trade to neutrals. The Times, in a leader, says that the Committee's report is a great Step towards Imperial unity. The resolutions are based on the true grounds jpt the benefit of the whole Empire. Preference is essential to the future safety land doser union of the Empire. The jpost.war economic alliance must be independent of the enemy's raw materials find manufactures. . Ihe Morning Post states that the report will, satisfy reasonable men.. The Committee's resolutions aim at making ,the Empire united, self-sufficient and 'secure. The paper cannot understand .the attitude of Sir A. E. Smith, as the lAlbea cannot object to our following jtheir example. Th? Daily News says the report is roost surprising. No one denies that the war ia likejy to cause substantial

.changes in commercial and Imperial relations, but they are asked to swallow the whole tariff reform programme. The war presumably has not made the Dominions more willing to expose their infant industries to the full blast o£ Pritish competition. Received Feb. 22, 55 p.m.

London, Feb. 21. The Manchester Guardian states that Lord Balfour of Burleigh's committee's recommendations concern Britain more than the Dominions. It should not have thought it/credible that any British Government should endeavor to transform traditional practice before the nation astented. It would have been better had .the Committee pursued inquiries and given reasoned conclusions. The Committee's obscure recommendations mean a revolution involving that Great Britain must hare protection instead of free trade for the Empire, and preference instead of the open markets, the Allies' double tariff and the neutrals' triple tariff. The enemy was not even mentioned. The Committee suggests, and then seems ashamed of the suggestion, that the proposals are a reward for the Dominions' war service; but the Allies have done something. Even Britain has made a war contribution. They should not be sacrificed. The Guardian believes the policy of taking up the Imperial cause would make the chances of suffering among British workers even more perilous after the war than before the War. NEW ZEALANDERS' VIEWS. Received Feb. 22, 8 p.m. London, Feb. 21. Air. Massey, interviewed in regard to the report of Lord Balfour of Burleigh's Committee, said it was an important indication of the change of public opinion brought about by the war. The Dominions would welcome the Teport, in the ijiope that it would legislatively be given effect to in the near future, especially as it offered a measure of justice to overseas citizens. It would promote unity and make the Empire independent of foreign countries in regard to foodstuffs. . Sir Joseph Ward said that after fifteen years' advocacy of Imperial preference he was highly gratified with the report, which reflected the views of opposite shades of opinion on free trade and protection represented in the Committee's personnel. It was inconceivable that the Motherland and overseas Dominions would ever again be a party to the restoration of the pre-war conditions. The war demonstrated that the Empire JVM one great household. LESS MEAT EATEN. London, February 21. rhe meat supplies at Smithfield last week were 5057 tons, compared with 6805 tons in the .week preceding voluntary rationing, ,YIELD OF EXCESS PROFITS TAX. London, February 21. Thottefc it 'was estimated that the yjeld ittnrLtbe excess profits tax for the 3 / would -be 88 millions, alreceived,