The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1921. EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1921. EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

The speech made by the Coiumonwealth Premier (Mr. W. M. Hughes), at the recent luncheon tendered to him in London, was in every way worthy of his high reputation and statesmanship. Avoiding all controversial matters, Mr. Hughes directed attention to the problems which immediately concern the democratic peoples constituting the Empire, and taking the ground that “there was not one domestic problem that had not an Imperial facet.” In emphasising that Britain’s foreign policy affected every part of the Empire, for the reason that “from the womb of this policy wars emerged,” Mr. Hughes voiced the real reason why the Dominions should be consulted on all matters concerning the foreign policy of the Imperial Government. A war-weary and impoverished world can only be invigorated and rehabilitated by a sound, durable peace and the solution of the problems pertaining thereto. Hence the summoning into Council of the Premiers of the democratic units of the Empire becomes an assurance of united effort in the attainment of peace. A cessation of armed conflicts would, however, be only one step in the desired direction. Provision must be made to safeguard the whole Empire and its commerce. ‘‘The Empire,” said Mr. Hughes, “rests on its sea power, and on the day that passes, the Empire will pass.” That statement tersely and accurately defines the position and indicates the manner in which safety can be secured. Animated by a whole-hearted desire for peace, and confident in the power of the Navy to afford adequate protection, the work of production and trade expansion becomes the main duty, and it is in the solution of problems concerning that work which the Premiers’ Conference may do good service. On this subject Mr. Hughes spoke in no uncertain terms. “Questions of Empire,” he said, “are interwoven with domestic problems. It is no use arguing about employment and wages if there are no manufactures, and no one will manufacture if he has no market.” Again: “Great industrial questions, such as housing and wages, must be settled one way and another or they will bring about the destruction of civilisation.” In dealing with this matter the Premiers may well adopt as a basic principle that the Empire should be self-contained, as far as possible—a co-operative federation of units not only for the benefit of the Whole, but for their individual advancement. Britain needs assured markets for her manufactures; the Dominions require similar markets for their raw materials and produce, so that the prosperity of the Empire depends on a satisfactory allround output being maintained, together with an acceptable system of interchange being evolved. It has to be remembered, however, that unless goods are placed on the markets at prices within the reach of buyers the producers will suffer, so that the key of the position is the cost of production, which, in turn, is affected by the amount of individual effort. Herein is to be found the crux of the industrial problem, and it will be noticed that Mr. Hughes was significantly chary of suggestions or views on this, the most difficult of all the present-day problems, contenting himself with the statement that Bolshevism had shown there was no short cut to a terrestrial paradise. Just as the presence of the Premiers at this Empire Conference represents the principle of partnership, so must the workers be given representation in industrial affairs. If the Premiers can evolve effective machinery for settling industrial

differences, or rather for preventing them by means of discussion and co-operation, they will thereby solve other problems on which the peace and prosperity of the Empire depends. If all the other Premiers approach the business of the Conference with that high measure of statesmanship exhibited by the Federal Premier, the meeting should not only make a new era possible, but should create a record of good work that will be an inspiration to statesmen, and furnish convincing testimony to the world as to the unity and solidarity of the British Empire.