EMPIRE ON THE MAP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3957, 14 January 1930, Page 79

EMPIRE ON THE MAP.

LORD BEAVERBROOK’S CAMPAIGN. LONDON. November 26. “ Lord Beaverbrook is doing the Empire a tremendous service.” The speaker was Sir James Parr. New Zealand’s retiring High Commissioner. Sir James continued: — “ I may say that I entirely agree with his object, and that I go most of the way with him. Lord Beaverbrook is the first great journalist and newspaper proprietor who has vigorously and fearlessly espoused the cause of Empire trade. The launching of his campaign has put the Empire on the map as an economic entity.

“No doubt the Freetrade-within-the-Emnire campaign will have to grapple with great difficulties, but the Empire undoubtedly can supply all the food needed, and without any increase in prices. 1 believe that in three years the British Empire would be in a position to supply all the food required—including even all the flour—and at no advancement in cost. The food tax argument which floored Mr Joseph Chamber lain 30 rears ago is now a bogey, so great has been the development of the Empire in recent years. “ There is a fear in the dominions, said the High Commissioner in conclusion that their industries would be swamped by the influx of British goods that would be sent out. But I believe that even problems such as that, if handled by capable business men, could be adjusted without loss to the capital or labour employed in dominion industrial enterprises. Of course the project will take time, but I believe that in the long run something like Lord Beaverbrook’s policy will come about. It would ensure more employment all round, a bigger output for British-grown foodstuffs, and more conI sumption of British goods as against imI portations from foreign countries. Lastly, it will hold the Empire together.”