THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15944, 4 July 1917, Page 9

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS. the preference question. (srrctAL ro I: m rr.tss.") WELLINGTON", July 3. Tho House of Representatives "was crowded this afternoon, when tho Primo Minister delivered his promised statement on tho visit of Sir Joseph "Ward and himself to Britain, and tho deliberations of the Imperial "War Conference Mr Massey's speech lasted tho greater part of the afternoon.

Mr Mnsscy e»id tho business transacted at the War Cabinet meetings was, for the present, a sealed book; its business would remain confidential. At the samo time he would be able to givo a good deal of information about the imperial Conference. With regard to commercial matters, tho Imperial authorities had arranged to requisition wool, sheepskins, and hides. The question of meat prices was also brought up, but it .was admitted in England by the representatives of tho War Office and Board of Trade that the producers woro entitled to a 1 roasonablo increase in price. It was arranged that the price of mutton and lamb should bo increased by |d per lb, and beef by Jd per lb. These prices would stand till tho end of . the war, and some time after. A" larger incrcaso in the price of beef oonld not bo 6ocured, owing to tho competition of tho Argentine. There was a serious difficulty- in regard to cheese. The original offer was not considered satisfactory, and tho negotiations stopped... When, he aJid Sir. Joseph Ward went they were informed that it was proposed to requisition chccse at tho other end. It "was decided, alter discussion, to requisition cheese at this end upon paying a reasonable price. Ultimately it was dccidt«l to pay "9sd, i'.o.b., New Zealand. He felt sure that all the chceso in store would be required, as he considered tho war would continuo for some months yet. They recoived a distinct promise that no more would be paid, for other chceso than New Zealand. Ho felt certain that a satisfactory agreement liad .boen arrived, at in regard to wool. It was dccidcd that the prico of wool should he tho pre-war price, plus CO per cent.. The most important point while the transactions wcro going on ; was the' question of getting the produce shipped. They went upon tho principle that they trcro not'going to extract tho.last farthing from tho Imperial authorities. The great difficulty was the supply of ships, which had been accentuated by the operations of the German Bubniarines. Wax purposes came'first, and,' unfortunately, could npt-bo avoided. 'Members would understand' tho difficulties Sir Joseph Ward and ho had encountered, when they were asked by the shipping controllers, "If .you had to choose between Icooptng' your - armies : (meaning tho British Army, etc., which were ours) sufficiently supplied with food,..and getting it from your country, or from..;a country nearer than you, what-are you going to do about it?" That was tho question, and there waii only on© answer to it. A Voice: No choico. " ■ Jir went on' i<o say .that there were quite a number of neutral, ships which would not go to' sea whilst the submarine mcoaco was existent, but. when the menace had. subsided these vessels would como out. : Now that tho summer with its long days was dirawing, to. an • end in Europe, iho operations of the submarines should be minimised. Ho believed that several' factors would gradually • causo the submarine menace to disappear. He felt quite certain that tho Germans would nofc starvo Britain, though •th"ero J . was a great scarcity of certain commodities. Ono could not help admiring the calmness and serenity of the British people, who were prepared to. put lip with every incohvenicncc and hardship to the end. Mr Massey referred 'on .the samo lines as his previous speeches to the esteem in which New-Zealand Boldiers were held .by the peoplo at Home. Ho also referred to the visit of Sir Joseph Ward and himself to the New Zealand troops in France, who, in spite of distinctly adverse .elements, were rxtremeiy cheerful with very little complaint, none being received in regard to the food. Everything possiblo was being done for tne soldiers of tho British Empire. Thoy woro well fed and clothed, and their health was carefully Ipoked-after. •_ The Prime Minister related his visits to tho New Zealand hospitals in England, of which ho spoke in terms of praise. Ho paid a' tribute' to the work of Briga-dier-General .Richardson, who is in ch&rgc of the New Zealand troops in Britain. It had been desired to transfer. General, Richardson to the front again, bub the New Zealand Government strongly protested, and it was extremely lit civ that he would remain ill his present 'position. . Mr Massey paid a high tribute to tho New Zealand nurses.

" He believed that if Russia had stood up in the saino way ao slio did •last year, the war would havo ended this year. It was understood that tho' Central' Powers were weakening. Germany knew that the Entente Allies were war weary, and thought by holding out that she would secure "better terms. ■' Nothing worse ■ than such a peace could' be secured. (Hear, hear). He felt certain tbe people, of New Zealand would resist tbe return of" the German Pacific colonies, to Germany. (Hear, hear.) He did not think it would be done, but when negotiations for peace were begun, ho hoped time would bp given the Dominions to allow their representatives to express, their views. (Hear, hear.) If ever Germany got the opportunity, she would attempt to give Britain her death blow. Germany must never get that opportunity. Mr' Mfissey said he did not believe tho people of this country bad altered their intention in the sUgbiest of winning the war. We bad been called "upon to sacrifice men and monex to an extent that we bad never contemplated when the war commenced, and we must" make further sacrifices. He honestly believed that the people of this country would say that faith would be kept with tbo men who bad died; that their blood had not been shed in vain. I

Referring to the Imperial "War Conference, the Prime Minister stated that the representatives of the Dominion sat round the tabfo on terms of perfect equality with tho Imperial statesmen. Ho claimed that the right thing had been done by Sir Josenh "Ward and himself in remaining in England to attend the wa-r conference. Unfortunately Australia was not represented, but the interests of that country and Xew Zealand were identical, and in looking after the interests of New Zealand lie and S'f J.oscoh were looking after the interests <>f "Australia. After having met tho Indian represcptativcc, various difficul-

lie? would b;» much more easily settled i:i the future-than in t) JO past. If tlio m ;ir_ \y-n t on j'oj; any length oi" ti me, .ic loir- certain that India would, do a pi'oat i]oa! iii-oro to hol;> Britain and her allies iliau in tii c past. . »»ith r'jrnrd to the principle ci' preterviieo (the motion ivtorriiij; to which Mr Massey read as published in last fc-aturday's Christchu reh there was a good deal of difference of opinion on the quotliou. and it was reicrred tc a. special They. wcr<

b!c to adj list their differences, and ho motion was submitted io the "War Jabiuct with only au alteration in a" mmaterial" word. The War Cabinet •fforrcd.it to. the Ys'ar Conference, •vhich adopted it. and it was now the x>iicy of the Imperial Goverumcut and :uost of it—he did not say nJl—would 3C passed as 1 epilation. There* were i great many people a t Homo who had their opinion ou this subject ;ince the war broke out. He knew old ideas died very hard, but since the war people at Homo refused to take their views from party politicians and party papers (hear, hear), and ho thought it was for the better. He had no hesitation in saying that it was _ in our interest, speaking from the_ point of view of Umpire, that the mail and cable services between different parts of the Euipire should bo improved, even if it cost- the country more. (Hear, hear.) It was necessary to see that our commodities were carried at the lowest possible rate with the utmost expedition. lie did not say that shipping ' should be taken over by the State. Various State enterprises had not been over successful, but what was in his mind was that a commission consisting of good business men should bo appointed, to whom the questions of freights and facilities might be referred. _ If it wa-s possiblo for private enterprise to do the work properly, it should not be interfered with) but otherwise the State must como in, either as part owner or wholly. (Hcar t hear.) Provided sufficient time - was given ho felt certain British ships and men would be provided for all requirements. He felt certain wo should discrimiuato in favour of British.' ships in the shape, say, of harbour rates.

For many years British subjects had been allowed to emigrate to countries outside the Empire, despite the room for them in British. Dominions. Inducements should be offered them to remain under tho British flag. Within tho last fifty years he claimed that in tho way ho"had described we had lost the population of a young nation. Even under tho most favourable circumstances Britain could not.produce sufficient food to feed her. people.. Was it not much better for the food required to bo provided by British peoples? Ho hoped that when tho war was .over the emigrants would bo induced' to go to British countries. The Dominions bad wide spaces to fill.

Mr. _ "Massoy said _hc M-otild leave fiuuucial' matters to bis colJcaguc, but bo considered tbc financial bnrdons could only bo met by cacli country doing its best to. increaso its rosourccs, production and output, and ensure ils stabilitv. A motion was agreed to tbat when the war e.ndod, a special conl'crcnco sliould be held composed .of representatives of all parts of tbo Empire, to consider reorganisation. ■This matter was aboro party, and be would like to eee the Leader of the Opposition of a country present at tho Conference, besides a representative of tbc Government. He hoped tbo time would never oome irlien arty of the rights and privileges of any of. the oversea Dominions would be taken, from them. Any such interference would tend to disintegrator tbo Empire rather than strengthen it. Tho tics between the different parts of tbc Empire must, b© light as silk, but as strong as' steel. Some of tho Dominions would, in coursc of time, >becomc great nations. "While there was very little thought of. the representation of tbo Dominions in the British Cabinet prior to the war, a great change had tako.i place in the attitude _of tho British people and tlteir legislators, who .now . considered that tlio_ Dominions' representatives wero entitled to participate iri the Councils ot the nation. They Lad far more to fear from rashness - and impetuosity on tho T>art of well-intentioned individuals than of the British people bolting the door in. our face. Wo had ■to go slowly.' "We had to be careful in *!very step we took in building up the British Empire. Ho was utterly opposed to. any alteration, allowing our finances to be dealt with, by a body outside this country. Money must be found, and each country must do its share, but tho final eay in regard to money matters of any particular place must rest wilh the Parliament of that country.

There was one matter in which ho did nob reccivo tlie sympathetic consideration that he "expected. At the Imperial Conference he moved a a amendment to a motion regarding soldiers' graves, that when tho peace negotiations, began, an earnest effort' should be made to secure that piece of -land afc Gallipoli where our soldiers fell, for the purpose of looking after their graves. Finally, in an amendment, special, mention was made of Gallipoli along with other places, and he had no doubt that when peace was declared.-it would be found that wo had secured the control of this pieeo of ground. (Hear, Bear.) He had suggested that the men who fought at Gallinoli, and tho first, six divisions of the British Empire who went to France, should receive spebial' recognition, • either by way of' a war medal, or a special clasp. Ho felt confident of receiving a message stating "that tho colonial■ troops would.secure recognition.

Continuing liis.Rtatenient in the evening, the Prime 'Minister said that in order to finish his statement Ky 5.30 pi.m., he had failed to elaborate on a number of points, but ho did nob wish to do so now._ During tho session several opportunities would arise permitting him to give information. One point debated by tbe War Conferenco was what was to bo done with the German colonics when , the time arrived. He could not divulge the decision of tho war Cabinet, but. ho could express bis own opinion without'committing: a breach of confidence. If the Gorman colonies in the South Pacific were given back to Germany at the end of the war, it would mean thsrt German naval bases would lio established in the Pacific. (Hear, bear.) They could remember that when war broke out there .were a number of fast German warships in tho Pacific, and considerable anxiety was felt in' consequence. A great deal moro importance was now; attached to the islands in the Pacific by British statesmen. than in tho past. We must never forget that our security was greatly due to the Australian fleet.: It was very possible "that in years to come exchanges of territory might bo effected between Britain and other oountries. Why should we allow, how-' ever, an unscrupulous opponent like' Germany to come into the Pacific and prepare for "The Day." Whilst wo did not consider the possibility of the German colonies going back to Germany arising, we must announce our: views on the subject with ®o uncertain voice.

With regard to tbe supply of meat and the American Meat Trust, Sir Robert Stanley, the- new head of tbe British Board of Trade, would do all he could to prevent either the pro r ducer or tbc consumer being exploited. Tho object, so far as it was possible to do it, was to make the Empire' selfsufficing in regard to food supplies, and he know that this would be the outcome of the adoption of the policy of preference.

"With regara_ to the supply of shipping lie had just received word that a ship which was intended^ to'bc taken away would now load in New Zealand. Speaking of the Shipping Controller (Sir Joseph Mac Lay). Mr Massey stated that be had had differences with him. He was a difficult man to move, and with him and his J>epartment, Xcw Zealand -was naturally a secondary consideration. but Ho <NTr Massey) h;id pointed out that it-was unfortunate for

us that tho shipping was diverted to a country in opposition to us in regard to tho supply of moat. "With regard to wool, lie proposed io speak of tlio future prospects. Thoro was tno doubt thoro would bo a strong demand in tho future for wool, thoro being no roscrvo stocks in tho British market to-day, whilst owing to tho ■slaughtering of flocks throughout tho world, tho number of slioep had diminished. Tho drought in Australia, had 'affected tho number of sheep thoro, and tho dry Reason in New Zealand had produced a similar result.. It would l>c a vory }ow estimate to pay there were ten million men in khaki to-day. "When th« war canto to an end these men would go Tnto civilian clothes, creating a great fo r wool. "What ho had said in rffgard to tho futuro demand for ■wool referred to frozen meat. Ho 'paid a tribute to tho magnificent ■work being dono by the various Now, Zealand organisations in Britain and at the front. New Zealand miglit ho a, small- country of the Empire, with a, small population, but it was not a -whit behind any other part of the Empire in tho great and grand work it was doing in thes crucial test through which the Empiro wa« now passing. Tho Printo Minister finished 11is statement afc S p.m., after spcakinrr for somo three liours.

SIR JOSEPH WA liD'S STATEMENT. > . Sir Joseph Ward said neither tho Prime Minister nor himself had asked to go to England: they were invited by the' British Government. Whatever tho outcome of the visit of tho Prime •Minister and himself to the Old Country might be, he for himself wished to disregard tho silly, senseless criticism that, had bcon. made: - If ho went out of polities to-morrow he would' bo satisfied that tho visit had-resulted in benefit to this country. (Hear, hear.) The man who indulged in electioneering and senseless criticism at this stago of .'•{fairs was a, traitor .to his country. (Hear, hear).! Tho wholo of the information. in regard to the most vital and delicate part of the war was placed; before the oversea members of the War Cabinet, and it was not till thcu that ho .realised the. degree of responsibility weighing upon the men in charge of the British 1 Government. Ho eontended that, while a great advance had been; made by the British. Prime Minister in calling, a Conference of tho oversea representatives onco a year, it made it necessary for the futuro safety or the British Empire that there should be an understanding between the .British Government and _tho Governments of the Oversea Dominions. 'In 1911 the then British Prim© Minister declared that the British .Government could not consult tho Oversea Dominions in matters of foreign policy. Jri this war the Dominions had sent one million men to the assistance of the Motherland, and in the future ,tbo. Motherland must cooperate with the Dominions. To invite representatives of the Oversea Dominions, to Conferences, and tell them of things that hail been dono would not bo sufficient. In the futuro tho Motherland had to share her foreign policy, with the Oversea Dominions to decide on questions of war and on pcace terms. (Hear, hear).- The people. of this country in the future, fioni an .Imperial standpoint, were not going to be put off with promises; they wefo going to demand a-share of the responsibility. He expressed it as his strong belief, that if it had not been for the. wax the present state of things in regard to ' imperial co-opcratioii would' not have arisen, at least for many years. The mad action of the German .Emperor in declaring war. had proved to be the cement in binding the different parts of the British Empire together. •

Tho Motherland in another respect was regenerating itself, if it was not already regenerated. Men of high position in life had gone out and fought and died with tho masses for the honour and safety of the Empire. Those men were going to regard tho masses differently from what they did in the past, and the masses were going to bo uplifted.. (Hear, hear.) They' knew Canada had pledged herself to provide 500,000 men; Australia had ■ pledged something like that. _ JI O spoko for himself,- but he had expressed the opinion that New' Zealand should provide 100,000 men. New Zealand had gone so far and tho war could not last for many months'longer. Without breaking confidences, they could'say it would he a crime to-allow the islands in the Pacific to revert to Germany. As far as this country was concerned, there was no mistaken idea on tho part , of tho rulers of the Old Land as to what our views were. These islands in.the future must be protected. Sir Joseph.Ward paid liis tribute to, tho - marvellous organisation of Britain in tho field. Ho referred to the manner in which the men and women of tho Old Country had risen to tho occasion. But for I/ord 'Kitchener and tho organisation ho was able to create, Britain would not have won this war. It was largely the magic of his name that was responsible. Let tbern not ran away with .tho idea that it would take eighteen months to get tho New Zealanders back when tho war vgas over; ■ it was not going ( to take six months, thanks to the marvellous or-, ganisaiion evolved. There were very important matters for the future organisation of defence of tho Empire discussed at_ the Imperial Conference, which in ordinary times would be mado public. They were all in the nature of co-ordination. Ho' considered that the men who were responsible for the control of the Navy in time of war wcro on tiller] to their opinion bring asked by Ui in time oi pcacc. He ouiy express-

oil his own opinion. Tho grand olil Nary was too small to protect-' the British Empiro as _;i. whole. If one said that_ it protected us by being in tho North Sea, then he agreed. Tho Empire was at presout too big for tho Navy, therefore wo must eo-operatc iu tho future in somo scheme. apart front party considerations. Tito sinking of party was essential in tho interests o' tho Empire. They had to impress upon the people of the Old Country the necessity for guarding tho Pacifus iu future. At the Conference they dealt with tho law affecting patents, trade marks, etc. : they dealt with the question of lutving British Trade Commissioners to develop British trade: they dealt with tlie, important question of naturalisation to deal with naturalised subjects who showed themselves _ to bo averse to tho country of their adoption. Mr Miissey's "resolution in regard io preference was carried unanimously. This question of preference was going to depend for its success upon the policy of the Old Country. If the Mother Country was going to allow any country to get its .goods in without duty or liy paving very little duty, it was going to defeat tho building' up of trado within tho Empire. "We were, going to wait to sco what tlie fiscal policy of tho Mother _ Country was going to be, and if it .was not what was hoped thero would bo strong protests on the part of _ the Dominions. lie had never boliovcd that Britain and the oversea countries should confine their trado 'to themselves; they could not overlook America; ho did not think it possible, to ignore Britain's Allies and-ho l did not think it possible to ignoro somo of the neutrals. There was not sufiicient population in the British Dominions to absorb, tho trado of Britain and such a policy would bo suicidal, but if tho Mother Country adopted s*. policy giving no superior, facilities foV trade wo. in time could givo- her certain preference. In tho future thcro could bo no interference with.tbo minions unless tho Dominions did it themselves.

In reply to an interjection by Sir John Findlav. that tho British. Government could alter our Constitution, Sir Joseph Ward said they would not attempt it; there would "be 100 strong . a protest. Wo could silwaya stand up for our rights. Twelvo months' safeguard had • been provided for tho Motherland, and other • countries,- to' develop their fiscal sys- . tern. There wcro 460,000 tons of .meat imported ' into lingland last year. Speaking from memory ho' behoved ' that 260,000 tons carac from an Ameri- ' can company. This country and this Government were powerless without . tho. assistance of tlYo British Govern- ' mcut in respect io this company; Tho butellers of tho Old must go to tho Americans for beef, •■and if they did net got mutton ,*ind lamb l'rom tho Americans they might nob be supplied with beef. Tiio only solution' of the problem was tho buying of the meat by the British Government.' Wo.supplied seven million sterling worth of meat. AVc were up against a concorn that passed £250,000,000- through its . hands in a yoar. Ho had hoard of a , farmers' concern which ' was selling meat to one of these American companies bocauso it gave a higher price. Members: "What is■ the remedy? Sir Joseph "Ward : The only remedy J can seo is tho British Government co-opcrating with us. wo buying tbo. meat hero and the British Government in Britain, and controlling its sale. •"With the conscnt of tho Sovereign, iSir Joseph went on to say, land should arrange to have a special medal struck to presonb to thc JNcw /ealandcr.s who fought at Girliipoli, with -special medals for other campaigns. (Hear, • hear.) , Ho thought that would overcome the difficulty mentioned by Mr Massey.

From it financial point of view tho visit of thcPrime Minister and himself liad been, invaluable to this country. They had interviewed the English Revenue Department with tho result that a person would not bo. required to pay tho cxccss profits "tax in bo'th countries. After the war undoubtedly the. double incomo tax would bo abolished, and there would be only ono income tax payablo in any portion of tho British Jiinpirc.,' All the short dated loans'issued lie had had extended to thirty years, and did not'have to pay brokerage or discount, thus effecting* a saving of £490,000. r riicro had beca £500,000 invested in the IJritish war loan, which first of all helped tho Motherland i" its- victory loan. The whole of thn loan money lie bad referred to:- .wa* fixed up for thirty years. v It made us very strong': it made us very safe- Tho extra prico we had gained for wool atid meat alono replenished ;i.n additional amount-to this country of £3,700,000. Tho chances were that had not the Prime Minister and himself been present in the Old Country this amount would not have been saved, though-the High Commissioner might have done something. Furthermore, the scarcity of steamers would probably havo been greater, and if the wool, meat, and cheeso had been sold bit by bit, probably heavy losses would have resulted to tho producers _ of- this country. llr Massey and himself made a fair and firm bargain with Lord Derby. Anyone would recognise that they had douo a JWpd thing for this country. ■ Personally, he considered this was tho mo&t difficult year wo were going to have, thongh he was sanguine enough to consider we would weather it all right. Ho had stipulated with Sir Albert Stanley that if Canada received' an increased price for her cheese we must also get the same. Sir Albert Stanley had promised this, and there ••was no doubt we would get it. Sir Joseph, after paying his-tribute to the worth of our men at the front and onr nurses, concluded his speech at 9.51.

At tho request of members, it-.was resolved to take the discussion. of the spcrchcs after tho formal business of to-morrow#