The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-03
ENGLAND IS NOW
TAKING SURVEYS
TO COPE With
TRADE PROBLEMS
Committee Headed By
Lord Balfour Prepares
After-war Program

London, July g. Especially - A
reconstruction commission IS sur
veying the effects Of the war upon
the interests of the British empire
and is formulating plans for the ad-
tustment Of commerce and industry,
economic and social conditions TO
the new standards that will prevail
when peace comes.
Plans for the reconstruction Of
conditions and national life are we'll
under way.
Ralfour Heads Committee.
A committee headed by Lord Bal
four Of Burleigh, has completed a
program for commerce and industry
after the war. The committee has
made a special study Of these ques-
lions:
(a) What industries are essential
to the future safety Of the nation
and what steps should be taken to
maintain or establish them; (b) what
steps should be taken to recover
home and foreign trade lost during
the war and to secure new markets;
(c) to what extent and by what
means the resources Of the empire
should and can be developed; (d) to
what extent and by what means the
sources of supply within the empire
can be prevented from falling under
foreign control.
I'VE think that war requirements
have enormously increased our pro
ductive capacity in certain great
branches of industry, notably the
steel and chemical industries, and
that in numerous directions British
manufacturers have shown much
adaptability and resourcefulness and
the knowledge and experience gained
during the war should be most
valuable asset in respect of our post
war trade" says the committee. 1--WE
urge the vital Importance Of every
effort on the part Of both employ
ers and employed to attain the laTg-
est possible volume Of production in
order to secure the speedy recovery
of our industrial and financial po-
sition."
One Year Prohibition.
The committee recommends that
the present prohibition on the i'm
portation Of goods of enemy origin
should be retained with a provision
for special license in exceptional
cases, for at least one year after
the conclusion Of peace and for such
further period as the government
may consider eXpedient.
In regard to the resolution Of
the Paris conference providing for
priority among the allies as to
the supplies of materials for the
restoration Of their industries,
the committee suggests that this
plan could be carried into effect
If a policy of joint control Of GER
tain commodities can be agreed
upon between the British empire
and the allies.
Will Control Trade.
Tt Is pointed out by the committee
that the prolOngation Of the war and
the entry of the United States have
increased the Importance Of a con-
sidered policy directed toward as
surfing the British empire and the
allies adequate supplies Of essential
raw materials during the period i'm
mediately following the conclusion
of peace.
I'VE recognize that it will be nee
essary to continue for some period
after the war some portion of the
control Of home and foreign trade
imposed during the war in order
particularly to secure to the coun-
try adequate supplies Of foodstuffs
and railway materials for industry
and their distribution" says the re-
port.
Brief Restrictive Period.
But we recommend that the re-
strictive measures which 1t may be
necessary to continue should be kept
within the narrowest possible limits,
and wherever practicable the trades
concerned should be intrusted with
the working of the control under
government authority. The policy
Of the government should be direct
ed toward the restoration OF normal
industrial conditions within the.
shortest possible time.
I'VE are strongly Of opinion that
state control Of and restrictions up
on industries arising out Of war con-
ditions will be found to be detri-
mental under normal conditions and
should be removed as soon as pos
sible after the conclusion OF peace,
due regard being had to the cir
CtImstances of each particular case. -