The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-09-14
CONTROL OF RAW MATERIALS.

CONTROL OF RAW MATERIALS.
JConferring for Allied Contro, OF Raw
Materials After War.
Washington, SEPT. 10.-AlIed con-
troll of.raw material after the war is
perhaps receiving more serious at
: teEtien from the British than any
other postwar policy, according TO
advices. received by the Bureau OF
Foreign and Domestic commerce.
Philip B. Kennedy, American COM
nercia1 attache at London, in a re-
port to Washington officials, says
that after the British government
has perfected with the dominion gov
ernments- plan for obtaining con-
troll Of materials in the British en-
pire, its is expected that representa-
tionsfwill be made to the United
States and other Allied countries for
some common action.
Important meetings of the Imper-
ial War Conference and the Imperial
War Cabinet were held in London
during July, he says, at which prime
ministers and others representing
the dominions were present. The
conference is deliberatiye body
whichrreports its decisions to the
cabinet, a more executive organiza-
ton Questions Of imperial policy
were discussed at the meetings.
which were regarded Of unusual au-
tIiority because of the prominence of
and conferees.
A Special committee Of the confer
es,ce was appointed TO consider the
bes. methods by which essential raw
materials, may be controlled, and
Sonar Law, Chancellor Of the tEx-l ss
eeecSed1er has informed Parliament
I that arrangements being made with
dominion representatives, for the
control of materials are to be the ba-
SIS for beginning negotiations with
other countries.
Close imperial cooperation in mat
ters of economic policy is favored by
the dominion representatives, judging
from their utterances, Mr. kennedy
reports. He adds that Australia and
New Zealand are interested in re-
tanning the German colonies in the
Pacific and in combattingE German
trade after the war.
The douinions were asked to pass
law similar to the British ncn-fer-
rous metal industries act, which
makes it necessary to obtain licenses
to trade in metals. Such legislation
is designed to free the British era-
pire from dependence on German
controlled organization.
II Another important resolution
adopted by the conference is under
stood to have asked the dominions
to cooperate with the imperial gov
ernment in protecting the developing
British dye industry
The conference also considered
questions relating to the development
OF inter-empire trade, such as trans
port, news service, parcel post, sta
tistics and emigration. Improved
steamship connection between Great
Britain and the doninions was fa-
yored, also as more comprehensive
news service at cheaper cable tolls
. and coming from strictly British
source. A statistical bureau was
proposed for London, which would
compile and transmit information
from different parts of the empire.
Control of emigration after the war
also was discussed.
Although the dominion representa-
tiyes desire immediate consideration
of the important questions relating
to the close cooperation Of different
parts. of the empire, Mr.. Kennedy
points out that is it not certain that
the British government viii be pre-
pared to perfect finally program Of
future economic policy during the
war 4 He says Mr.. Law regards this
problem one for solution after the
war.
None of the meetings openly dis
cussed a preference tariff, according
to Mr. Kennedy. Such policy is ia
vored by many, but the tariff ques-
ton is yet an issue in the United
Kingdom on which there is not unity
Of opinion The old free-trade SEN
tiInent in the Liberal party is evident
" unchanged and the Labor party is
seemingly opposed Of any policy
which would affect cheap food and
cheap raw materials. The latter also
has committed itself to resolutions
favofing an open door economic poll
icy after the war as the best way OF
guaranteeing future peace. Before the
United Kingdom can come to a def
mite decision on the tariff PROBABLY
the issue will have to be Joined b.
the conflicting interests, according to
reports received here. and this may
be something the government will
not care to bring up during the war.
sToN make any rake self-clean;ng q
Minnesota man has invented an at