ALL DEPENDS ON TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11650, 15 October 1923, Page 8

ALL DEPENDS ON TRADE

SOLUTION WIDL BE FOUND. MR BRUCE OPTIMISTIC. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 13, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 12. Mr Bruce said that Britain’s position in the world had been based on her Empire’s trade, but she could not continue to be heard in the counsels of the world or maintain her prominent position in the world, or continue ’her influence over other nations by her foreign policy, unless she could maintain her trade position, which depended on tho solution of problems which the Economiq Conference was now considering. That was why he classed the Economic Conference as more important than the Imperial Conference. He believed a solution of the present problems would be found. The Empire’s position Beemed imperilled, but the British people had faced such situations before, and would face them again. Problems had been solved in the past, and would be solved to-day. The solution lay in the will and the courage of the people. WHAT THE WAR SHOWED. There never was a time when we should be more proud of our race than after the war through which we had come. We bad to-day as fine a generation as the Empire had ever seen. Before the war, many people wondered whether the dominions would be prepared to stand up for the Empire in the hour of need. The war had supplied an answer to that question, and showed that the Empire had people who could face any situation with courage. But to achieve great things we must have leadership. It was to men of responsibility that London must look for help, leadership, and assistance. They had also to attempt to find a market for their produce. It sounded the simplest thing, but it was difficult beyond words. If the Economic Conference could find a way out of that problem it would ensure the welfare of the Empire for all time. He believed such a sortition of the market problem. benefiting both Britain and the dominions, frould give Britain a commercial position unrivalled by that of any other nation on tho facd of the earth. That was the great problem tho Economic Conference was trying to solve in London. The Empire was in great danger now as it was during the war.

The luncheon was a brilliant gathering, over 3000 guests being present.