The Daily News. MONDAY, JULY 21, 1919. THE EMPIRE'S WORK AFTER PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JULY 21, 1919. THE EMPIRE'S WORK AFTER PEACE.

t The achievement of victory and the celebration of peace must now j give way to the work of production and the recovery of trade and the reopening of the chaoinels into I which, it used to flow so freely, thereby not only finding employment for people who can be numbered by the million, but reconstructing finances that have borne such a heavy strain. The ratification of peace has automatically removed the blockade of Germany, and removed the shackles which bound British trade during the war. Already there has been a sweeping away of controls and restrictions, while initial steps have been taken for restoring trade freedom. As regards imports, there is again in Britain a free market, with exceptions in the case of certain goods which affect industries that are being built up against German competition. More important still for a country which has to sell its vast surplus production abroad is the lowering of the barriers on export trade. This means that the Allies have raised the blockade against neutral countries, though licences are still required, but, with a few minor exceptions, the Home trader can now buy and sell as he pleases. Guarantees against re-export from neujfioußtciißs

must still be given—for wliat they are worth—, but within these limits the Continental and foreign trade will soon be in fall swing. Bv the removal of the controls—slow as it is—new stocks of raw material and fresh orders for finished goods will become available, but until the Imperial Government lias decided and put into force its fiscal policy and Imperial preference details it will not be possible for the Empire's trade to be placed on a. satisfactory footing. What this resumption of trade means to British traders and manufacturers few people outside commercial and industrial circles can conjecture. The spirit now visible is that of "full steam ahead." More important even than the extension of import and export facilities is the fact that the production of commodities for home use is now almost entirely freed, thereby reintroducing private enterprise, which has been held in check by Government control. Yet, it is evident that a certain measure of control is necessary, and in support of this view it mav be mentioned that 20,000 pairs of boots have been sent abroad, in spite of leather not being plentiful in Britain. With the end of the arrangement whereby the Allies pooled all their resources in raw material there will be a healthy restoration of trade competition. One fact, however, must not be ignored—namely, prices for all binds of manufactured goods are not likely _to revert to pre-war figures. In view of the enormous financial burden Britain must carry for many years, it is satisfactory to note that there is plenty of confidence among commercial people as to the ability of Britain to obtain her share of the world's trade. Among the obstacles are the cheapness of labor in Japan, and the intensive production in the United States, where, although wages are high, much more is produced in a given time than in Britain. Herein is to be found the great, outstanding moral for the whole of the British Empire. It is not the question of high wages that matters, but the imperative need for greater production in a given time. No reasonable person can object to pay a fair increase on pre-war prices to cover the extra cost, but it is only right to expect, that the increased wages paid shall result in larger production. At the same time it is the duty of every Government in the Empire to prevent the exploitation of the public, and to rigorously suppress the operations of all trusts and combines which tend in that direction. The pressing need of the moment, however, is the elimination of industrial strife. After all the turmoil and sacrifices caused by the military struggle, there should be a feeling on the part of the workers that the netv era of peace should be a reality, and this cannot materialise until there is peace in tii; industrial world, and this is particularly the case in the Dominions, where the workers have consistently enjoyed far greater benefits and privileges than their comrades in the Homeland. If this unrest and wilful thwarting of tion is not promptly and effectively dealt with, it is very certain that a crisis will arise which will shake the very foundations of the Empire. The war has been won, but it has to be paid for by means of increased trade and commerce. The loss of export trade means a disaster only second to that of losing the war, and such an ending to the great world struggle must be avoided at all costs. The position is so plain that even the least intelligent member of the community cannot fail to recognise its serious nature. The war was won by unity of purpose and unflagging determination, and the fruits of peace can only be obtained by a like common effort and the exercise of unselfishness. The forces that are pulling against the Empire's work after peace should take heed of the nemesis which awaits them if they persist in their disturbing and arresting tactics. Let them act like virile members of the community, and bend their shoulders to the. work of reconstruction, fox* the exercise of their help is the deciding factor in the well-being of the whole Empire.