WAR REGULATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 172, 20 July 1916, Page 8

WAR REGULATIONS.

RESTRICTING ENEMY TRADE. WHAT BRITAIN IS DOING. I THE SECOND READING DEBATE. (By tColegraph.—Parliamentary Beporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Son. A. L. Herdman moved the second ireading to-night of the War Regulations Amendment Bill. The Minister explained that the measure was essentially.. a War Bill. It, contained many controversial matters, although every attempt had been made to present certain proposals in a- fair light. lie asked, therefore, tliat members would remember that while we .were at war with Germany we -were at peace among ourselves, and he urged that no attempt be made, by any section to turn the bill to political use. Dealing with the proposal to restrict enemy trade, he said it had been ,of the "utmost importance for Britain and the Allies to keep on friendly tenne with neutrals. The matter was fraught with difficulties, as it was of ■vital importance that Britain should control the exports and imports of Germany without unduly interfering with neutral trade. He believed when the history oi the war was written it would be conceded that Britain's statesmen had performed wonderful tMngs in successfully handling a difficult and delicate situation. German export 'trade had been practically annihilated, and her import trade had been stifled. (Hear, hear.) It should also be recollected that scattered all over the world were officials representing the British- Government, actively engaged in endeavouring to , identify enemy goods and goods from enemy countries. 'The 'British Coritr'a'band Committee bad done great thing? for the Empire, and the Allies, by agree ments made with neutral nations, shipping companies and commercial bodies. As an instance of Great Britain's watch, the Minister pointed out that for sevei. moTiths preceding the war. the United States imported from Germany £54.500.----000 -worth of goods, while from March to September. 1915. these imports fell to i£*itOO.OOO. of which about £3.000.000 ■worth were <;oods paid for by America prior to the war, and therefore allowed .■through. In. New Zealand, from the outbreak of the war. trading with thr> enemy had been negligible, chiefly due, he oelieved,.:to the fact that we had in the commercial community here men of great public spirit and patriotism. The debate was adiourned at 11.55 on the motion of Mr. Isitt.