DANGERS OF A BOYCOTT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 61, 11 March 1916, Page 5

DANGERS OF A BOYCOTT.

MB, ASQtrmrs assurances. TO CONSULT COLONIES. (Received 11.5 aan.) LONDON, March lo' Mr. J. M. Robertson, Labour member for Tynesi-dc Division, raised the ques tion in the House of Commons of the Government's fiscal policy in con nection with ' the approaching eco nomk- conference in .Paris. He saicl he did not object if measure:could be planned r to keep German-, economically weak provided those measures did not prove injurious to the Allies. He feared that a boycott would prevent Germany paying any indemnity. If preference were given to" the Domin ions over the Allies it would create the most serious difficulties, and if preference were given to the Allies over neutrals it would drive the latter into the Germans arms and place the British at a'disad vantage in exporting to America as compared with Germany. Mr. Asquith said" there need be no apprehension that the British representatives at the Paris conference would fetter the action of the Government or the House of Commons. It was wise tc exchange views and get an idea of the changing economic conditions due to the war producing an enormous destruction of capital and an unexampled dislocation of industry. "We must not," said Mr. Asquith, "be led, by a passion or desire to make victory secure, to adopt measures which would inflict greater injuries upon ourselves than upon the enemy." The Government would not commit the country upon a matter on which it must also consult the Dominions.