The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 7, 1917. DEVELOPING EMPIRE RESOURCES.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 7, 1917. DEVELOPING EMPIRE RESOURCES.

When the German military despots started out on their mad campaign of world domination, one of their objects was the breaking up of the British Empire, Little did they imagine that when the day of iiisillusionment arrived the outstanding feature of their world-war would be n ipwfeotly organised and thoroughly conBritish, ftmpirt. boiys^.tofiethe;

by unbreakable bonds for war aiul peace. The comprehensive statement issued by tiie Colonial Secretary concerning the work of tiie Imperial War Conference should convince our enemies of the fust that tliny have a solidly welded Empire to reckon with instead of a number of scattered units. The resolutions of that conference inaugurate a new era for the British Empire wherein the Dominions and India will have a permanent voice in Imperial affairs. Thn minnimjty of the delegate* is evidenced by the fact-that on no occasion was it necessary to divide upon or withdraw a motion because an agreement was unreasonable. This grand spirit of unison, which is the outcome of the war, is not a fleeting phase, buf •a permanent policy. It will be noticed, that the three ruling principles laid down by the Conference are concentration, co-ordination and concerted action, not only as regards I'm prosecution of the war, hut in regard to developing the resources of the Empire, and making it as nearly as-possible self-contained. Naturally the first consideration was that of naval and military co-ordination for defensive and offensive purposes, and next to that came trade development within the Empire. The decision arrived at with regard to India having full representation at all future Imperial Conferences was wise, generous and politic for the systematic development of Indian resources will go a long way to assist in achieving the great desideratum—a self-contained Empire. One of the great lessons of the war has been the arousing of the Motherland to the urgent necessity for developing to an adequate eapaoity the production of naval and military material and munitions supplies, in all parts of the Empire, even when facilities do not at present exist. The crux of this decision is the development of the minerals in the Empire, for which there is a most extensive field of operations, and it is satisfactory to find that steps in this direction are not to he delayed, the first move being the establishment of an Imperial Resources Bureau, whereon the whole Empire is to be represented with| the object of a united uffort being mafli to meat the Empire's metal requirements. The vital question of food supplies is another matter of urgency in which concerted action is imperative, and connected therewith is the transport problem, together with an intelligent system of control of all essentials for national purposes, and economy in manufacturing processes. The Conference could not but recognise the weaknesses which have hitherto characterised Imperial affairs in the past, and the decisions arrived at may be regarded as the first instalment of new principles designed to place tne Empire on a healthy and virile basis in every department of activity. By the institution of concentration, co-ordination and concerted action the whole Empire will act in unison and achieve results that will astonish the world. The Conference wisely considered that the readjustment of constitutional relations between the component parts of the Empire was a too-important and intricate subjet to deal with during the war. Having paved the way for the systematic development of the resources of the Empire it has set the units an ample task the performance! of which is of immediate importance, and there will be no lack of opportunity after the war to solve constitutional problems. In this connection Russia has set a good example by first attending to the all-important steps 'to secure victory, after which she can settle down, undisturbed by the enemji, to set her house in order. The fiscal problem can also well await the advent of peace without there being any fear that the delay will in anyway prejudicially affect an acceptable agreement being arrived at. The proposals of the Conference are based 011 sound lines, and the achievement of the objects in view will open up a vast field of enterprise that will materially enhance the productive! power of the Empire, while strength-, cninj* the bonds of unity and giving each component part a direct and stimulative impetus to work together for the common weal, thus.lmperial unity will become a fact instead of a mere sentlmont. The moral effect created on our enemies by the action of the Canferenca cannot fail to be a considerable factor in shortening the duration of the bitter struggle that is now reaching its climax.