BRITAIN.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 269, 30 October 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

MR. MASSEY AND SIR JOSEPH. IMPERIAL MATTERS MENTIONED. PREMIER ON POST-WAR TRADE I AUSTRALIAN AND N 7 UABTV ASSN ’ London, Oct. 28. The Royal Colonial Institute gave a luncheon to Mr. Massey and Sir J. G. Ward at the Hotel Cecil. Lord Plunket, presiding, referred to the heroic deeds of New Zealanders and the patriotic assistance the Dominion gave before the war. The guests typified that a strong North Island man and an equally strong South Island man with their supporters were uniting in the national crisis. He hoped that Ireland would do similarly. Mr. Massey, responding, said we had allowed a German bounty on assisted goods to stifle our industries while she was preparing a great army and navy to smash us. She 'had' financed these preparations partly from the profits made in AusItralia, Canada and other parts of I the Empire. Only by a miracle were her plans unsuccessful. He hopea we would profit by the lesson. He trusted that every Empire Legislature would make such folly impossible in the future. Our motto should be “British trade for British people,” always remembering to act considerately by our Allies. Another pfter war problem was the amendi meat of the constitution, giving the I dominions a voice _ in defence and foreign affairs. This entailed a great question for decision: whether the present form of the Imperial Parliament should be continued. On that depended the form which dominion representation would take. He outlined New Zealand’s scheme to assist . soldiers on the land.

FINANCE MINISTER’S VIEWS

Sir Joseph Ward said that New Zealand would have a surplus of two millions in the current year which would be invested in Imperial treasury bonds. He also hoped to repay some of the Imperial war advances. New Zealand’s assets totalled £365,000,000, which was a good set off against her indebtedness, or £110,000,000. They had provided a sinking fund for all war and general loans, and their finances were on the soundest basis. Great Britain after the war should consider some system of reconstruction to keep trade as far as possible within the Empire. The generous impulses of the past whereby the British had helped Germany to build up a great overseas’ trade should be directed to the countries within the Empire so as to prevent Germany ever again winning out against Great Britain.

I NEWSPAPER COMMENT. [AUSTRALIAN AND N. 7. OABI.K ABBN.| i London, Oct. 28. The “Times” comments that, the luncheon to Mr. Massey and Sir J. G. Ward provided a timely reminder of the problems facing the country when the war is over. Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward represent a dominion which is. doing its utmost to support the Empire with men and money. They have attended a Cabinet and must know everything about the naval and military position. Moreover, they have a certain detachment of view regarding the future of the Empire. They are not content to leave all questions about the future of the Empire in abeyance until the war is over. They want the British people to think about them now.

A FULL WEEK. Wellington, Oct. 28. The following cable was received t.-day from Mr. Massey: — “Had an exceedingly busy week as follows :—Monday : Long, conference with the Secretary of State for the Colonies and permanent heads of the Colonial Office. Tuesday: Sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and afterwards granted an audience by the King ; a very large New Zealand reception at the Hotel Cecil, when a thousand were present. Wednesday: Attended a full meeting of the British Cabinet arid addressed a large gathering at the Pilgrims’ Club. Thursday: Lord Mayor’s luncheon to overseas representatives. Friday : Entertained by Royal Colonial Institute, four hundred being present. Saturday: Farewelled New Zealand soldiers returning by the Maheno. At all the gatherings our reception was exceedingly cordial, enthusiastic tributes being paid to the high standing New Zealand occupies in the heart of the Empire. “We leave for France on Monday.” EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS. STANDING DIFFERENCES. NEGOTIATIONS FOR SETTLEMENT. r.AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN. 1 London, Oct. 28. The employers and trade union Parliamentary Committees are negotiating for a general settlement of long standing differences, including

the union’s demands of compulsorj unionism for all workers, a 48 hours* week, a 30/- minimum wage for adults, no reduction in existing wages and no increase in existing hours, of complete recognition of tiade unions, unemployment pay fiom the .State, the settlement after the war of conditions of women's labour. It is believed that the present is a favourable opportunity for removing the sources of friction and to assist in after-the-war resumption of normal industrial conditions. It is hoped that a settlement will be reached for a three-vear experiment. The negotiators are enlisting Government assistance. Mr. Runciman’s reference yesterday to a minimum wage attracts increased attention. LONDON NEWS ITEMS. (Received 30, 9 a.m.) Owing to the early closing of public houses convictions for drunkenness have been 45 257 Tier annum as eon pared with 99.735 in 1914. No further licenses are to be issued for the export of flax, linen yarn, thread linen to the manufacturers in Holland. Captain Pretyman’s Bill prohibiting the use of the word Anzac as a tiademark inflicts for a first offence a fine up to £lO and for subsequent offences £lOO. The Government has partially relaxed the prohibition on the export of tallow, and some shipments have been made to the Allies. The “Allgemeine Zeitung” at Munich says that Prince von Buelow will shortly make a protracted stay in Switzerland.