EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 178, 30 July 1932, Page 13 (Supplement)

EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT

In his speech in regard to the Conference in the House, of Commons. Mr. J. H. Thomas, Secretary of State for the Dominions, said:—“The change in world conditions and the change of relationships in the British Commonwealth as it is to-day al| justify the hope and belief that there may emerge from this conference some machinery representing all the Dominions so that they may be able to be in daily contact and not compelled to watt for three years for the usual conference to take place. We advocated that policy before and we shall advocate it again, but in dealing with this side of the question 1 would like to draw attention to what I believe to be a mistaken view with regard to the value of Empire trade. One frequently hears the arguments that from our point of view it does not matter whether we spend a pound in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Irish Free State—that it is just the same as if wc spent it in a foreign country. 1 do not think that is a fair statement. 1 do not think we have a right to approach the problem in that way. 1 have no hesitation in saying that I would look with despair upon the growing population in this country, with its high standard of liv ing, if there was not outlet for our population. We are entitled to look ahead and to sec what is the natural and obvious outlet for our people. Where can we hope that our people can make good? Where can they go and nice’ their own people? I submit that the only possible outlet is the British Empire itself. In that connection 1 wonder liow many members when they study the live register and examine our uncm ployinent figures realise what a factor migration to the Dominions is.”