HOME AND ABROAD.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1416, 26 November 1904, Page 3

HOME AND ABROAD.

hi the Victorian Senate Mr Smith moved that the Government take all steps possible to counteract tho great injury that will result to Australian trade if the evident intention of tho German Government to establish a monopoly to German traders in their Pacific islands is carried out. He said trade in the South Seas was of great importance to Australia. No doubt it was the inherent right of a nation to say whether nations should not trade with it, but, seeing we gave Germany equal trading "ights with others in tho Commonwealth, the action of the Germans in the Marshall Islands should meet with a very strong protest. K that were ineliective they should meet it with an act 'of a retaliatory nature. The 3,(i00,000 square miles of the PaeiJic German sphere of influence covered with all the islands in that area, and unless a protest, were entered probably tin; exclusion would be extended to all the islands. Germany had been highhanded in the Pacific for many years. If retaliation were adopLd German tactic:' would probably soon be altered. If the Germans persisted in excluding foreign vessels he would support, a provision in the Navigation Bill excluding foreigners from the Australian coastal trade. The Attorney-General stated that the Government ,had the question Under serious consideration, and had made strong representations tcj, the Imperial Government wUh a view to diplomatic action. He deprecated any idea of reprisals while other steps were being taken. The question of reprisals might come up when other means failed. The debate was adjourned till December 1. ,