EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17608, 10 November 1922, Page 13

EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT.

A DEFINITE POLICY NEEDED.

(from our ows cowußKwrrKi.) LONDON, September 20. "Concentration on the development of the Empire," » the text of the principal article in tho October number of the "Nineteenth Century." This is * subject which Viscount Long of Wras.all, the writer of the article, brought into prominence somo months ago. Subsequently tho Empire Development Union was established, and Lord Long, in presenting his case again, makes ueo of some valuable facte and figures, compiled by the Union, of the trade and products ot tho .fciupiro. ins appeal is lor a ueuute policy to give exiuessiou 10 what nas ueeu advocated ley leading statesmen ior so long—closer traue matrons witiuu, U» Empire. "It is apparently held i» some, quarters," writes Lord Long, "that this movement is open to two objections, which would bo gravo if they really existed —first, that it means some interference with tho independence of tho different parts of the Empire; second, that it would involve Government control of trade and industry. There is no foundation for either of these suggestions. If a bond of Empire is formed, it would be the result of conferences between Ministers and others representing the different parts of the limpire, and although it is hoped that onco a definite line were laid down all parts of the Empire would adhere to it and endeavour to carry if through, notwithstanding the changes which might take place in their respective Governments, yet, of course, it is obvious that each self-governing part of the Empire would retain full autonomous control of its economic and trade policy which it enjoys at present. No. Government Control. "As for the suggestion that a bond of the kind indicated implies Government control pi industry, there » not a shadow of foundation for ■ this. Those of us who believe in the development of the Empire hold probably afore strongly, or as strongly, the view that there should be no Government control of trade or industry, but that all that Governments can do is to direct their national policy to the development of th© resources of the Empire and then leave it to the merchants and th« traders to take advantage of th© opportunities so afforded to develop trade." Believing that people as a rule do not realise how almost unlimited the powers of the Empire are, Lord Long .has, reproduced his figures at considerable length, and in groat detail. "I can- v not helpjjolieving," he says, "that they will reveal to the ordinary citißeni a condition of things which has not been realised, and which contains the most wonderful' ; possibilities for the Empire, and therefore for the world." Thus* he goes through all the principal trade producte showing hpw.m many cases large quantities are obtained within the Empire if some inducement were given to develop the resources. Lord . Long ' advocates that there should be, first of all, an enquiry. By a Cabinet committee in order to aaeer- " tain whether the years that have passed call for any changes from the United Kingdom point of view in tho decisions arrived at during the Imperial Conference of 1017-18. "It does not seem to me." says Lord Long, "that prima facie, there need bo any material change, but no doubt Bome of the conclusions require to be brought up to date. This, would then be followed by a conference representative of the Empire, not excluding or forgetting our Crown Colonies, and, I believe, that the result would be to make it, perfectly 'clear that we can maintain ourselves, that we ought to do so, and that the power of the Empire, one united under a definite scheme, to offer advantages to other countries, would be immensely strengthened by the fact thtit we should be acting; as an Empire and not as individual parte of it. ... "Undoubtedly in many parts of the world," the writer concludes,'"other countries are forging ahead; they act as a united whole, and .why should the British Empire act differently. Sorely the only di3tincti<plo in our cases is that the differentif arts of the Empire are divided by wide tracts of the ocean, but otherwise they are Just as much parts of the whole as in the case of 1 f any other Empire divided only by < artificial boundaries; and we could, if we recognise our strength and take advantage of it, combine as easily, for all the purposes under consideration, as could a country whose different parts are not so far away from the centre or separated by the seas." "Sound Advice." Under the heading of "Sound Advice," the "Daily Mail' advocates Lord Long's policy in preference to "spending British millions in futile attempts Ho nut on their legs' bankrupt and hostOe States in Central Europe." "Curiously enough/' the wnter of the article continues, "only two months ago the American Ambassader, who w a quite disinterested observer, recommended precisely the same policy in a very wise spepch. He treated as a pure obsession the iden that the British people depend for their existence on the prosperity of Germany and Austria. He tofd us that we 'could go alone, not luxuriously, but yet comfortably, with dae heed to prudence and economy in expenditure,' if we worn only content 'tf» explore and unfold the vast possibilities of the faithful Dominions.'"