DOMINIONS COMMISSION

Otago Witness, Issue 3084, 23 April 1913, Page 26

DOMINIONS COMMISSION

EVIDENCE IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, April 16. The Dominions Royal Commission is taking evidence here. One of the most interesting features of the evidence given before the Dominions Commission was the criticism to which British manufacturers were subjected by Mr Johnson, Chief Commissioner of the New South Wales Railways and Tramways, who complained strongly of their apathy in regard to opportunities for trade with the overseas dominions. For instance, he said, he had had the greatest difficulty early in the year in getting quotations for the supply of 30,000 tons of rails. This, he declared, was due to an arrangement to pool orders between English, American, and ContinentaJ manufacturers of rails. April 18. The Government entertained the members of the Dominions Royal Commission at a harbour picnic, and the Million Club entertained them at luncheon. Mr Arthur Kidman, speaking at the latter, said the Australian-Canadian trade had developed to extensive proportions, but unfortunately Australia not having a reciprocal tariff with Canada had recently lost much of it to New Zealand. As a result the Federal Government were withdrawing the subsidy from the CanadianAustralian Shipping Company. New Zealand had picked up a large export trade which had been solely developed by Australian shippers. The Hon. Mr Foster (Canada) made a rousing Imperial speech. Ho ■ declared that he liked the phrase “ John Bull and Company.” “It is,” he said, “ a mighty big concern this Empire, with its illimitable possibilities and capabilities. It is absolutely sufficient unto its own wants, and it is written in the book of fate and in the decrees of the world that we must stand together united.’’ The Hon. James Allen’s visit to London would undoubtedly prove very important, and he trusted that out.of it may come an immediate advance to wands the practical recognition of a common responsibility on defence matters, and the establishment of a permanent joint policy to give it effect. Before the Dominions Commission today Mr F. W. Hughes, managing director of a wool-combing firm, endeavoured do show that it was inevitable that England would lose the trade of supplying the Eastern markets with wool tops made of Australian wool; secondly, that it was in the interest of the Empire that the Eastern markets should be supplied with tops made in Australia rather than tops made in Japan from imported Australian wool; thirdly, that it was in the interest of -the Empire that the manufacturing of wool into tops and yarn should be carried out in Australia rather than in the present large proportion in European countries when this was possible through a reduction in the disparity of the cost of labour; and, fourthly, that it was inevitable that

Australia should in the near future manufacture an increasing quantity of local wool into cloth for local requirements. Mr Hughes added that if the commission came to these conclusions it was very probable that its influence could be used to very great advantage, enabling an understanding to be reached in order that urgently necessary reforms might be carried out in connection with contracts with Japanese manufacturers for the supply of tops and yarn, and, secondly, bringing together the British manufacturers and Australian firms with a view to co-opera-tion, providing for an expansion, of woollen manufacturing in Australia. Mr Hughes said it might be advisable for the Bradford makers to come here to manufacture tops. The Japanese would never tolerate having wool sent hence to England and then shipped back to Japan in the form of tops. The Japanese would either buy the raw material here and make the tops themselves or buy the tops in Australia.

April 20. Giving evidence before the Commission, Dr Gilruth, Administrator of the Northern Territory, described the development and possibilities of large areas in the north, which were as good as much of the land in the southern States. The idea of a great central desert was exploded, and an attempt should be made to develop the country, agriculturally and pastorally, with white people. Judged by his own experience he did not think the climate would affect anybody’s constitution. Many of the people of southern Europe would do well in the territory.

The Hon. Mr Griffith, Minister of Public Works, dealing with the Public Works’ loan, said the taxpayers paid nothing towards .the interest of the borrowed money and made a large profit. The more we borrow the better position wo are in, because it increases the profit. In reply to a question as to whether the financial position was usually good, Mr

Griffith said : “ I wish it was a trading concern, and I owned it.”