IMPERIAL PROBLEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17523, 5 July 1917, Page 4

IMPERIAL PROBLEMS.

LEADERS' STATEMENTS DISCUSSED.

AN INTERESTING DEBATE.

[Pkb Prhss Association.] WELLINGTON, July 4

In the Houso of Representatives this afternoon Mr Wilford commenced the discussion on the statements made on the previous day by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance concerning their visit to Britain. Ho warmly approved of such visits, and thought the country should not begrudge the money they cost. The War Conference was memorable in history, and he was particularly pleased to find that tho conference did not attempt to settlo the future constitution of the Empire, "until fiscal and oilier economic problems had been decided by the peoples concerned. That was wise and exactly carried cut the idea of Mr Chamberlain, enunciated in ltX>3. The speaker proceeded to trace the history of tho Gorman entry into the Pacific, concerning which British statesmen appeared completely blind. On this great question tho dominions must for tho future have a voice, and, if necessary, wo should have a voice in the general foreign policy of the Empire- All sorts of intricate questions of race and colour were certain to arise in connection with the government of the Pacific Islands, and once having obtained tho right to present our views relating thereto, we must not lot the opportunity slip by unused. On the question of Imperial defence he maintained that wo must be prepared to take our share of responsibilities and shoulder o'ar burdens after the war was over. It would bo a heavy responsibility, but wo had got to face it. The race for markets would be furious when the war was over. We must be prepared to enter into wiso reciprocal treaties to secure those markets, and wo must maintain a naval force sufficient to protect those markets. TRUSTS AND TARIFFS.

Mr Malcolm regretted that the state, ment of the Prime Minister had disclosed the fact that our meat fell into th o partial control of the Meat Trust if it was not used by the Imperial authorities in Britain. He hoped that steps would be taken to eliminate even this measure of control on the part of the Trust. Ho could not declare in favour of an Imperial tariff, and ho doubted whether New Zealand people would anprovo of any tariff calculated to raise the cost of living to the people of Britain. The self-supplying; Empire sketch ed by the Prime Minister was a dream which he thought neyer would be realised. It meant that there would bo no imports from foreign countries. No imports meant no exports, resultins: in a great diminution of trade. The prosperity of no country was ever built upon tariffs, but depended entirely on the energy, enterprise and initiative of the people. He thought it right that w© should demand representation in Imperial affairs, hut that must involve taxation, and he could not nvrco with the Prime Minister that the British Empire had no right to tax itself for Imperial purposes. Mr E. Newman, speaking on the question of Imperial trade, said that he once was a confirmed free trader, but in view of recent developments, ho now was converted to Imperial preference.

IMPERIAL FEDERATION. Mr Isitt said that while one rejoiced at the War Conference taking place, it was only an earnest of what we all were looking for. In his opinion Empire federation was bound to come, and there was danger in delay, lho difficulty in the way of that federation was an Imperial tariff, and he was surprised at tho light airy way with which many people appeared to think this momentous problem could be settled. They talked in generalities and refused to face the real and subtle difficulties ot the question. What he said was that wo had no right to attempt to force a preferential tariff on the British people if they were unable to see eye to eyo with us. Further, if the British people were unable to agree to a preferential Empire tariff, we had no right to take up the position that we would rofu?o to contribute a fair share to the cost of Empire. Fast and cheap communication would, he thought, be an enormous factor in directing British tndo into Brit r sh channels and weld together the different elements destined to become even a greater Empire than we yet knew. Dr Newman regretted that the J rime Minister had not agreed to his suggestion to hold a scorcifc session and take the House into his confidence, it was the Hou*e had not been told anything thev did not know before. EXTRACTING THE LAST SHILLING.

Mr Witty criticised the action of Ministers in demanding high prices for New Zealand produce from the British authorities. We had no right to extract the last shilling from the Empire. Tho people of Britain had heavy burdens to bear and we must be fair to them. He complained that while we had thousands of tons of food in the freezing stores prices to the people were th.> highest known in the history of the Dominion. STATE INDUSTRIES.

Dr Thacker declared that the war was won. The only question was how we were going to demobilise the men and employ them when they returned. He advocated the establishment of State industries, such as working iron ore, paper making, wool scouring and margarine manufacture. Mr Stathnm urged a revision of tho scale of pay and pensions. None,provided for members of tho Second Division if New Zealand found it necessary to send them to take part in the great war.

NO INFLUX OF POPULATION. Mr Poolo vsaid that if Imperial Federation ever came about it must be on a commercial basis. To make such federation a success British manufacturers must adapt their wares to colonial and foreign requirements. If this were done thero would bo such an impetus to British industry as would remove all cause of industrial anxiety after the war. He deprecated the idea of a great influx of people taking place from Britain after the war, because under tho improved social and political conditions which must be the result of the war there would be so many industrial and agricultural chances in Britain that he was confident that Englishmen would refuse to leave their hearths and homos. He regretted exceedingly that our Ministers had not been able to make better shipping arrangements for the Dominion, because it was no use talking of produce if there were no means of transporting it to tho Home markets. He also de-

nouueed in strong terms the merger of the Union Company with tho P- and O. Company. Messrs Payne and Reed also spoke. MR MASSEY IN REPLY. Tlvc Prime. Minister said that ho proposed to refer the question of the meat trusts to a committee of the House for inquiry, but he did not think niuen could be done in the way of checking operations till after tho war. M™ reason why he and the Finance Minister were so' emphatic on the removal of double income tax was that the dominions wanted capital for development, and anything which hindered the

investment of capital rin young countries was harmful from the point of view of tho State. This was not a question that affected the individual alone. Ho contended that preference would have an Empire-buildmg influence, and it was from that aspect he was looking at it. Wo had learned many invaluablelessons "during the war, and one of these ho hoped, would be that in iuturo Britain would not place German goods, on the same fiscal plane as Dominion goods. Ho agreed that there should bo no bargaining for any such advantage as preference, and he was confident it would not make the slightest difference to our loyalty whether we obtained conditions favourable to us or not. Ho described what he saw of the Navy, and expressed the opinion that no better mAi ever were placed in command of our interests than Sir David Beatty and Sir Douglas Haig, who now were directing tho fighting forces of tire, Empire. There- was great need for preparing for the occupation of British territory by British people after tho war. If we did not take this precaution, it was more than likely that other nations would say to us, " If you do not fill up the vacant spaces you must hand them over to us. who can do it." This being so, he was anxious to get everything in readiness for many British soldiers, who, because of their association with overseas soldiers, would be anxious to make their home in these new lands, and consequently he had taken every opportunity to induce English people to come out and seo the Dominion for themselves, as they could not possibly judge our jrreat potentialities from tho shores of England. Mr Massey concluded with a warm eulogium of the United States, < and 6aid it gave him the greatest satisfaction to find the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race now fighting side by side in the cause of civilisation and humanity. (Applause.)