Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1929 THE EMPIRE’S OUTLOOK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 7 January 1929, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1929 THE EMPIRE’S OUTLOOK

THE outlook of the Empire for the year--1929, if not dazzling, is at least reassuring. In Great Britain the industrial depression appears to be lifting the coal trade, the steel and iron trades, and the shipbuilding trade seem to be reviving. The indomitable pluck of tliei people and the sterling qualities of their leaders, both political and industrial, are doubtless destined to restore the country’s prosperity to a high level, if not this year, in the no distant future. Outside of Great Britain, the Empire enjoys much prosperity. The future of Canada 'S bright, and the prospect of connecting up the main systems of railway with Port Churchill, on Hudson Bay, opens up the possibility of a means of transportation which promises great things for the wheat provinces. There is a tendency for Canada to draw too much capital from the United States —in 1927 she absorbed over 53 million pounds sterling of such money—whereby she is likely to bring herself somewhat under Yankee- dictation, commercially and fiscally; but doubtless when Britain’s lending power has again reached the normal level, this anomaly will cease. Australia has suffered from a series of

bad seasons, but that is no new thing m her history, and anyone who knows the. great island continent and the energy and fortitude of its people, will realise that there need be no apprehension as to their future. The Union of Souili Africa has discovered a political formula which (enables the Labour-Republican coalition to govern constitutionally and in complete allegiance to the Throne; and the absence of any serious separatist movement makes for the prosperity of the country. Very much Hie same may bo said of the Irish Frco State, where tho statesmanship of that truly remarkable political leader, Mr Cosgravo, lias brought tho country tranquallity and a rapidly increasing measure of prosperity. Even in India, where certain discordant, elements keep themselves in tho- limelight by preaching sedition, there is distinct hope that the Simon’s Commission, which should shortly deliver its Report, will bo able to propound a plan which shall give tho vast territory of British India political rest. As to the Empire’s foreign policy, there are distinct signs that the British Commonwealth of Nations—that is the self-governing, co-equal Slates which own allegiance to King George—are drawing together rather Ilian diverging, largely owing to tho broad-minded and sympathetic statesmanship of the British Government, whose Foreign Secretary recently invited tho Dominion to participate more fully in forming the Empire’s foreign policy, and he was careful to ■'emphasise the fact that the detachment from the European Continent, which the Dominions’ statesmen enjoy, should enable them to make valuable suggestions to his Government. That opens up a possibility that Britain, freeing herself from European entanglements, may re-orientate- her policies in such a manner that the political, financial, commercial and industrial interests of tho Empire may be consolidated and advanced.

During the present year tho most important event is likely to be the British General Election. It is an event which affects not only Britain, but the whole Empire, since the Government at Westminster is the principal political executive in the Empire. It is of great moment that that Government shall bo strong and able to rule with the help of an ample and clear-cut majority, a thing which is not certain under the three-parties’ system prevailing in Britain.

For the rest, the whole Empire is solidly behind thei League of Nations and the latest Peace Pact. That means that the Empire stands for peace in the world. It will be a strong factor in preventing war, which is impossible if the Empire and the United States are determined to act together in the cause of peace. We believe they are agreed upon that point. Therefore there is good reason to hope that 1929 will be a year of peace in the world and, therefore, of increased prosperity.