TRADE WITH AGGRESSORS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 February 1939, Page 4

TRADE WITH AGGRESSORS.

JX terminating, under protest, their strike against the export of pig iron from Australia to Japan, the Port Kembla watersiders affirmed their determination, “to press for a nationwide protest, aiming at the prohibition of the export of warmaterials to aggressor nations” and declared that the Byons Government must be replaced by one whose policy is based upon Australia’s sentiment and ideals, and a recognition of a real policy of Australian security.’’ Full sympathy must be felt, with the idea of withholding Avar materials from aggressor nations and, indeed, of making the fullest possible use of economic weapons in bringing aggression to a halt. If it is to serve its purpose, however, that policy evidently must be undertaken on a comprehensive scale and on a basis of international co-operation. The position of the Australian Federal Government is clouded to some extent by the fact that it has prohibited the export of iron ore, though it permits the export of pig iron, but it has contended very reasonably that it would be futile for Australia to impose a unilateral boycott on an aggressor nation and that the only positive effect of that policy probably would be to invite damaging retaliation. This in no way weakens the strong’ case that is made out for united economic, action against aggressor nations, but a lead must be given by the great democracies, acting in combination, if action on these lines is to be made effective. Lt has with everv justification been described as deplorable that Japan, for example, has been obtaining freely from the Englishspeaking' nations, as well as from other countries, essential supplies of oil. metals and other materials lacking which she eoidd not well pursue her aggression in China. The I’niled States probably is better placed than 1 any other nation to give the lead that is needed in an effective policy of imposing an economic boycott on aggressors, and there have been some suggestions that it may not. be long before the lead is given. At a recent women’s conference in Washington on the cause and cure of war, at which one of the speakers was Airs Franklin 1). Roosevelt, wife of the American President. Professor Eugene Staley predicted that the Knifed States would soon take “strong economic action to stop dictatoraggressors.” In expressing that opinion, Professor Staley made a plea for the constructive use of economic pressures as it) Part of a collective system of community police action backed by a world organisation, probably a reorganised League of Nations. (2) As part of a larger programme ottering a positive, peaceful alternative to aggression. It may be hoped that if the United Slates ever offers a lead in world'action on these lines, support will be given readily and gladly by the British Empire and by other nations sincerely intent on peace. Isolated action m detail, like that lately attempted by the Port Kembla watersiders, cannot be expected, however, to' serve any useful, and constructive purpose.