FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 19 August 1929, Page 7

FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE.

EXB A N SIOX 0 V EUSE AS. NEED I’OR CO-OPERATION. LONDON. July 31. “The next few years may see the beginning of a new movement which will eventually decide the destiny of the British Empire,” says Mr Neville Chamberlain, former Minister of Health, in an article in the Empire Review, on “The Empire and Industry.” A conference between representatives |of industry, determined to find the best,' I method of employing Imperial resources, | may prove tiro sftHvatTon of the Empire, he- says'. i ‘ ‘ Alternatives of drawing together or moving farther apart arc being pressed upon us with increasing urgency,” writes Mr Chamberlain. “We, in these islands, cannot stand by ourselves alone. If we do not think Imperially 1 we shall have to think Continen,tally. I There is no doubt where our sentiments 'lie nor which alternative offers the I speedier and more effective way out of trouble. “The Empire needs capital and population for its expansion. We can suppi v both, hut the decision does not lie .with us alone. The Empire countries I overseas must have an equal perception of the possibilities of mutual help and an equal desire to make use of it. “I believe that there exists. to-day in the dominions a clearer realisation of these possibilities than ever before and a fuller recognition of the dangers which the alternatives might involve. The time is ripe for advance, which must not be confined to .the action of Governments. They can help, but the basis 'of a forward policy must be agreed between representatives of imIdustry themselves, by regarding rationalisation as an Imperial rather than a, national process, and by consulting together to see how the joint resources can 'best lie employed in the interests of the Empire as a whole. . They will have begun the reconstruction of our l industrial fabric and. may prove, the - salvation of the Empire. Such a vision may well inspire us with the determination to mate it a. reality.’’