LOOKING OF THE COLONIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9694, 19 January 1910, Page 4

LOOKING OF THE COLONIES.

Whatever individual opinion may be as to the respective merits of freetrade and tariff reform, it will be generally admitted that the Dominions oversea have a great deal to gain by a closer alliance with the Mother Country. Increased interest in and greater knowledge of their colonial possessions on the part of British people as a whole must Inevitably exercise a most beneficial effect on colonial trade with ureat Britain, and viea versa, while British capital will, no doubt, in the course ol time, be more leadily invested in the colonies tnan it is at present. Some of the labour legislation in New Zealand has certainly had the effect of keeping capital out of the country, while capitalists in the country are nervous in regard to investing in industrial concerns in face of the unsettled labour conditions that prevail. With the growth of the country, however, more satisfactory conditions must come about, aj|d labour will, no doubt, see that% their best friend is capital. The present state of affairs appeals to us as being only of a temporary character, and j due in a large measure to the limited population of the country. More industrial enterprise in New Zealand would, of course, improve the position of the workers as a whole, but industrial enterprise cannot be undertaken without capital, and, in our opinion, .is not far distant when the ranks of labour will recognise that legislation that is inimicable to the safety and welfare of capital is, also, contrary to the best interests of labour. Admittedly the introduction of capital into this country would be beneficial to all classes, and it is, therefore, very satisfactory to read certain remarks recently made by Sir Robert Perks at the annual meeting of the British Empire League. It appears that the political , upheaval at Home may prove advantageous to the colonies in an indirect manner. Sir Robert said that one of the most remarkable features of the present time was the extent to which public attention was being directed to our dominions beyond the sea. British investors wew looking to the British colonies for what was said to I be—though be did not pledge himself to the accuracy of the statement — a safer field of investment than nearer home.