COMMERCIAL WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16204, 14 April 1916, Page 5

COMMERCIAL WAR.

SOUTH AFRICAN VIEWS.

DISCUSSION PREMATURE.

Capetown, April 12.

When a Unionist member of the South African Parliament moved a motion urging the Government to discuss the question of the regulation of trade after the war, so that there could be concerted action with, the Imperial Government, the Prime Minister, General Louis Botha, said he regarded the motion as premature. "We should first devote our attention to giving Germany a sound hiding," said the Prime Minister emphatically, and his remark was followed by cheers. "Thereafter," he continued, there will be ample time to deal with fiscal questions." Mr. Henry Burton, Minister for Railways, said the Imperial Government would not act without consulting the Dominions. The war would undoubtedly revolutionise the relations of the Empire, but the co-ordi-nation of defence was much more important than that of trade. Mr. Burton hoped that it would be possible to draw closer the commercial bonds, but he dissented from the idea of killing German trade after the war. It was impossible, and also implied a trade war after peace was declared. General Botha had been invited to London in the same manner that Mr. Hughes had been invited, but he was unable to accept. South Africa was confident that the Imperial Government would keep it advised of the results of the coming conference in Paris. It was intended to send a South African representative. General Hertzog said he waswilling to consider an Imperial Union | for trade and defence, but the former . should not be shackled by European ! trade conditions. j

INTERESTS OF DOMINIONS

NO SPECIAL DELEGATION.

(Received April 13, 8.5 m.)

London, April 12.

Replying to a question in the House of Commons Mr. Asquiih said it was not suggested that the Dominions should be specially represented at the Paris Conference. If it had been possible for other Prime Ministers in addition to Mr. Hughes to attend the conference they would have been invited.