Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1913. TRADE OF EMPIRE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10602, 8 April 1912, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1913. TRADE OF EMPIRE.

The appointment of a Trade Commission is quite the most important step \uhidi has been taken by the Colonial Office since the Asquit'h Party came to power. The Commission was promised at the last Imperial Conference, after the need for the expansion 'of trade had been freely discussed. The Asquith Government ihiidftet its face against Tariff Reform, as. advocated by Mr Gham'berlain and others; but it was compelled to a realisation of the foot that the trade of the Empire was not expanding in the same ratio as that of Germany and other countries. And so it decided to set up a Commission to go fully into the subject, and to report. The personnel of the Commission, as announced last week, has not met with universal approbation. Indeed, it has been severely criticised by a section of the .Home Press. So far as New Zealand is concerned, there is no reason to complain at the selection made. It was thought from the beginning that Sir Joseph' Ward would find a "place 'on the Commission.. The prospect of his appointment may have influenced' inm in his determination to retire temporarily from, the leadership of his party. Be that as it may, the new Prime Minister, who was doubtless consulted, threw no obstacle in the way of his securing the position. Both sides in polities will agree that, in the eircunuvtanccs, no person more qualified could have been selected as the representative of the Dominion upon this important Conmiws-ion. Sir Joseph has a. wide business experience and a knowledge of the requirements of trade possessed by few on tin's side of t-he i.iohe. The" value of the findings of the Commission will

depend largely upon tlie order of re- ] ference. 'lt' tJie fiscal question is to come under review—and it is almost insuperable- from the trade cl' the Empire—recommendations' may be made which will influence the Homo Government as well as the overseas Governments in tlheir future legislation. At anyirate, the deliberations «.f the Commission will be made an excusefor sotting back the movement which is growing in the Old Country in favour <:f Tariff Reform, in the meantime, the inv-rrtigations will be watched with interest throughout the Empire. It is stated that, after arranging the order cf procedure, the ■ CommiViioii will visit Australia and New Zeaiar.d, and that its sitting's j will occupy at least two years. If this he so, it is unreasonable to expect that Sir Jceoph Ward wirt play an important part in the politics of the Erminion. He may, indeed, find it convenient to retire. It is certain that if an election takes place in the course of the next few months, he will be hero to fight it. But supposing the Mackenzie Government weathers the storm for a year or two. What will then happen ? It is quite I evudent, from his attitude over the' Cc-nwnifision, and from hiis recent utterances, that S : ,r .Toseiph Ward anticipates that another" election, will take place during the next twelve month's.