EMPIRE'S FUTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 6

EMPIRE'S FUTURE

SECONDARY INDUSTRY NEED IN DOMINIONS KEY TO NATIONHOOD VIEWS OF MR. M. MacDONALD [from our own correspondent] By Air Mail LONDON, June 27 One of the important discussions by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, when it holds its congress in Wellington in October, promises to be the consideration of the development of secondary industries in the Dominions. The necessity for such development was argued in no uncertain terms by Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, principal guest at the federation's annual luncheon on June 24. Some aspects of the changes implied by this development were referred to at the annual meeting of the federation held later. The hope was expressed that a useful decision would be reached wh6n the question was discussed in Wellington. Lord Elibank, president of the federation, emphasised that the development of the Dominions to-day was mingled far more with commercial enterprise than it was in the past. Future Populations Mr. Mac Donald, after making complimentary references to New Zealand, said he believed the authority of the Empire in world affairs in years to come depended upon the turning of the Dominions, which were comparatively undeveloped and under-populated, into fully developed and well-populated, strong and prosperous nations. They would then haV-e at the head of the Empire not just one strong, wealthy nation, but a collection, co-operating and associating closely. How, asked Mr. Mac Donald, were those Dominions to attain that state? Development of primary industries was not enough under modern conditions, and the Dominions could not possibly give work and a livelihood for the largo populations contemplated for them by that means. It was only by the development of secondary industries that work could be found in due course for millions of extra people, and he would piace the emphasis on the development of those secondary industries.

Need to be Economic They had to be economic industries, added' Mr. Mac Donald. and he thought th=y in Britain should encourage that idea as Dominion secondary industries became economic under changing circumstances. If Britain was not going to contemplate and to recognise that need it was no good people placing their hands on their hearts and talking about developing the Dominions and potting them m the position to support bigger populations. Britain would gain in the long run and benefit would be mutual. Mr. Mac Donald said he considered development of Dominion secondary industries was the key to the proper development of the_ Dominions and to the British peoples in the future having power to enjoy an even greater influence in world affairs than they had in the past. Discretion Advised Mr. H. Allcock, a director of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, referred to this emphasis laid upon secondary industries by Mr. MacDonald. While, he said, he was not hostile and offered no criticism of that view, he thought it was largely held that the Dominions were the principal suppliers of the primary produce sent to Britain in exchange for British manufactured goods. He agreed that the federation should take note of Mr. Mac Donald's remarks, but at the same time delegates would do well to mix a good deal of discretion in their speeches in New Zealand. Lord Glenravel, a past-president of the federation, said he hoped some arrangement might be reached in NewZealand whereby a ."division" of the secondary industries could be arrived at. suggesting the manufactures to which the Dominions should apply themselves and what Britain should produce. Empire Rationalisation Mr. Sydnev Jacobs, representing the Associated Jsew Zealand Chambers and the Wellington Chamber, said Mr. Nash was coming to England in the hope of signing an inter-Imperial treaty, but if that could not be secured he would have to return to New Zealand and turn his attention to economic secondary industries as being the only way to increase the wealth of the Dominion. Lord Elibank said it had been realised that tie Dominions would have to develop some secondary industries if they were to become nations. He was inclined to agree with the late Lord Melchett, who said it was a question of the rationalisation of Empire industry. "We have to make up our mind that this thing is coming,' he added, "and the manufacturers of Great Britain will have to see how they can work it out to their advantage and to the advantage of the Dominions."