BONDS OF EMPIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 235, 3 October 1936, Page 12

BONDS OF EMPIRE.

N.Z.'S PROUD RECORD. DEVELOPING OF RESOURCES.. VIEWS OF LORD ELIBANK. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The great majority of commercial men have in the past been individualists of the purest character, but to-day they recognise that with tariffs, quotas and other restrictions the day of the purely individualist trader has passed away, laid Viscount Elibank, president of the Empire Commerce Congress, speaking at the State luncheon tendered to-day to the delegates. But they still ask for as much freedom from control over their operations as is consistent with the wellbeing of the community as a whole, and they°often yearn for more than they get. "New Zealand has a proud record in the Empire. Her population, though comparatively small, has done wonders in [he development of these The federation, in accepting the invitation of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand to hold the triennial congress in Wellington this year, were glad to have the opportunity to me»t this essentially British community and to see for themselves the way in which their problems were being handled. We have been overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome which we have received." Continuing, Viscount _ Elibank said: "One of the questions which the congress will consider will be that of migration within the Empire, and I believe we slia.ll decide that the time has arrived when migration can be resumed to those Dominions who are prepared to accept immigrants. My only comment at the moment on this matter is that whatever is done in this direction should be undertaken in a bold, comprehensive spirit, and not in a niggling way which will achieve little or nothing. Air Services and Trade. "As a federation we are particularly interested in the negotiations that have recently been proceeding for the establishment of Empire air mails on a pennyhalfpenny rate. There is nothing that greases the wheels of commerce more effectively than quick mail communication, and there is no doubt that already trade within the Empire has been augmented by the quick communication achieved by means of air services. Anything that you ca.n do to press this forward will be much appreciated by the federation.

"In these calm, peaceful surroundings, situated many thousands of miles from -.the Old World, it is not easy to visualise conditions in Europe to-day. Let us take all possible precautions, whether it be measures to secure our commerce or preparations for our defence. But apart from this as an Empire I believe our best policy is to proceed calmly .and quietly to consider our affairs, to deliberate upon them, to develop our*resouroes, and to create out of our Empire such a position as will enable us to take the leadership in the settlement of any world disputes that may arise. "Of this I am convinced, that Englishspeaking peoples will, in the event of any future European war, have to stand together. The more, therefore, we can co-ordinate our ideas, our actions/and our defences in the British Bisting of a quarter, of the world's.'surface, during these times, the more forceful can we be when the moment arrives." Monetary Situation. Interesting comment on the international monetary situation was made by Viscount Elibank in his presidential address at the opening of the congress. He said: "Within the past few days there has been a very important incident. A. great ameliorating-change has occurred by the devaluation of the French franc, which is being followed by the devaluation of their currencies by Switzerland and Holland and other countries still on the gold standard. This creates an entirely different situation, and presents a real hope for the international stabilisation of exchanges, for which the world has long been yearning. "At the same time, we within the Empire have our special interest's to safeguard, in view of our trade agreements and other measures which we have taken for Empire trade consolidation. We also presume that other colonyowning nations will make arrangements to meet their conditions. Consequently I cordially welcome the paragraph' contained in the declaration of British . policy issued by the London Treasury, in which the British Government says that of course in its policy toward international monetary relations there must be taken fully into account the requirements of. the internal prosperty of Empire countries, as corresponding considerations will be taken into account by the French and American Governments.

"There is, I am sure, no delegate to this congress who does not warmly endorse that statement. We are living in unsettled, not to say dangerous, times. The war to end war terminated in 1918, yet almost ever, since war clouds have hung on the horizon. Many nations are looking to the British Empire for leadership, and we must have the courage to recognise that new world conditions have arisen and that because certain methods served well in the past it by no means follows that they will serve in the future. A great responsibility rests upon the British Empire. May we, as representatives of the commercial communities'of the Empire, in our deliberations and actions, be worthy of our trust."