MR WATT'S MISSION

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14362, 13 May 1920, Page 5

MR WATT'S MISSION

TALK ON FAMILY BUSINESS. AUSTRALIAN SENTIMENT. MORE BRITISH THAN EVER. (Auslrali'an'and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 12, 3.5 p.rn. LON I) ON, May 11. Mr. w. A. Wall, Federal Treasurer, in outlining lo British journalists Hie objects of liis mission, said amongst other things, Unit me people of Australia entertained si rung opinions on Hie payment of reparation by German;,-. Whether British opinion on the subject had become more indulgent in the past 12 months or not he was unable lo judge, hut Australia’s conviction had not altered, and she looked to the -resolute observance of the Treaty. The Australian public did not want German goods, and he would he vejy surprised if Australia’s portals were opened to German Irade in the present generation. He had not come with complaints, but simply to have a talk on family business. He had propounded a scheme for dealing with -the Empire’s debts, but so far had not. received a. reciprocal reply. “John Bull and Company” had - not held enough meetings of the board of directors. You could not run -a.firm so huge -altogether by correspondence qnd cablegrams. The. junior partners may not hold an -identical opinion with the senior but consideration of 'the different poinls of view would avert misunderstandings and conduce to unity and harmony. Australia was keen on tier job, and her principal job‘was to preserve the great southern outpost for* tho British people. Australians had a religious pride of blood and faith in the Empire partnership, and they . had emerged from the grim struggle more resolutely British than before. Received May 13, 12.25 a.m. LONDON, May 12. Tlie Financial ‘News Isays that Mr Watt will cause a flutter in the official dovecot. .Australia expects to get. a good lump of the German indemnity in May. 192 U; moreover, Australia, is determined not. to do business with Germany. That'is Hie kind of talk needful when German officials are frittering away milliards of money rather than meeting their liabilities lo Hie Allies. We fear, however, that It will not secure the indemnity.