11 MARCH 1916, Page 3

On Tuesday Mr. Asquith received a deputation from the Chambers

of Commerce on the defence of trade and employment within the Empire after the war. Ho admitted that, since the war was bound to revolutionize the whole economic outlook of the Empire, there might be a good deal more to be said for the creation of a Ministry of Commerce than he had previously been ready to admit. In any case, Mr. .Asquith had a good reason for making no definite promise, for, as he said, a Conference of the Allies is soon to be held in Paris to discuss trade questions. Before that the Government will consider fully the proposals which Mr. Hughes, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, desires to make.