BRITAIN’S BURDENS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 190, 10 May 1938, Page 11

BRITAIN’S BURDENS

Dominions Trade May Help / London, April 29. “Only- by a great developmetn of trade, particularly Empire trade, can Great Britain meet her future burdens,” declared Sir John Wardlaw Milne (Con.), when the debate was resumed in the House of Commons on the Budget proposals of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon. He urged consultations with the Dominions and colonies to discover bow Inter-Imperial trade could be improved. Some of the Dominions, he declared, were now manufacturing countries, ami were sending out goods that were seriously competing with workers in Britain. A readjustment would be necessary even in regard to the trade of the Dominions.

Emphasising the importance of maintaining confidence in themation’s financial stability, Sir Hugh O’Neill (Con.) instanced the succession of crises in France due to the lack of confidence. “Another case where there was lack of confidence and where extreme Socialist principles created financial chaos,’’ he added, “was that of Mr. Lang in New South Wales. His policy led practically to the bankruptcy of the State, with the result that a moderate form of Government was returned—l think for the first time in history—on three successive occasions.”. Mr. George Griffiths (Lab.) : Will you go to New Zealand for five minutes. (Laughter.) Sir Hugh O’Neill: I have been both to Australia and to New Zealand. We shall watch the immediate financial future of New Zealand with great interest. A Labour member: Try Queensland. Sir Hugh O’Neill contended that Sir John Simon’s Budget followed a wise and cautious course.