The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1821. IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1821. IMPERIAL POLITICS.

The opening o£ Parliament in London is always an event o£ importance, and the contents of the King’s Speech invariably attract much interest throughout the Empire owing to the customary references to matters of moment in which Greater Britain is more or less concerned. Judging from the condensed cable summary of the speech delivered on Tuesday last, the principal work before the British Parliament appears to be less in volume than, usual, but this is counter-balanced by the importance attaching to the chief subjects to be dealt with. In the forefront of the programme which the Government has to face are the matters arising out of the Peace Treaty to which, effect has still to be given, as well as making headway with the work of re-establish-ing concord in Europe, restoring tranquility in the Near East, and establishing trade with Russia. In view of the latest pronouneemem by the German Foreign Minister (Herr von Simons) thaf no German statesman would dare call <i£ the people to perform forty-two years’ feudal service to a foreign over-lord, therefore Germany must refuse to sign the Allies’ conditions as to the payments for reparations, the outlook as to establishing concord in Europe is not inspiring, and the Allies will need all their courage, tact and determination in resisting German bluff and presenting such a united front as will convince the Teutons that they have no option but to submit to the fortunes of war—a principle the Germans, above all others, must understand. The work of restoring tranquility in the Near East bristles with difficulties, which are accentuated by the active propaganda efforts of the Bolsheviks. Hence the importance of reviving Russian trade whereby alone is there any hope for arousing the millions of Rus sia to put an end to the reign of terror under which they have been and are now suffering. The out standing features of the speech that more immediately relate to Home affairs are those relating to Irish Home Rule, reducing departmental expenditure, and dealing with unemployment. The hope expressed by His Majesty that the majority of the people of Ireland will exhibit a “determination to repudiate violence, and work under the Act,” is one that will find an echo throughout the Empire. With regard to the Government’s determination to reduce expenditure ‘ ‘ to the lowest level consistent with the Empire's well-being,” it can be claimed that this policy forms the key to the solution of the complex problems of industrial unrest and unemployment, for it is hopeless to expect industrial conditions will be placed on a normal basis until the heavy burden of taxation has been materially reduced. The growing ranks of the unemployed in Britain and other countries emphasises the pressing need that exists for diverting to industrial efforts and production some of those millions sterling that are now being unprofitably and uselessly expended on establishments that should long since have 'been closed down, and in wasteful expenditure for which there is not the least justification. There are many thousands of acres of land at Home which are now practically unpil&ductive, but could be converted into farming or grazing industries that would not only help towards feeding the masses, but give employment to ex-service men and women and keep them in the country instead of emigrating. A few of the millions now squandered on unneeessaries might with advantage be devoted to st'imulat- 1 ing production and thus help to solve the unemployment problem. That the subject of, Empire defence is to be the main item for the consideration of the Premiers’ Conference is evident from the remarks made by Mr. Lloyd George in the House, when he intimated that the whole problem of Imperial defence would be brought before the Premiers in order to seaure coordination between the various parts of the Empire. At the same time this statement was no answer to the very sensible claim which was the subject of an amendment urging co-ordination between the army, navy and air force. One of the most prolific causes of. costly blunders and wasteful expenditure is the conservative independence of one another which is such a glaringevil ill departmental administration, not only in Britain, but in the Dominions as well. If the Premiers’ Conference succeeds in coordinating all the departments controlling every branch of defence and war work, there may be some hope that the example will take root and bring forth much good fruit in every branch of administrative work. At the present time the need for the utmost economy is so urgent that no efforts should be spared in preventing

overlapping and ruthlessly eliminating all but absolutely necessary outlay. Admittedly, the task is Herculean, but it is not impossible. %