Empire Goods.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18234, 19 November 1924, Page 8

Empire Goods.

We published a. despatch yesterday from our London correspondent summarising a discussion at a Tecent Unionist Conference on the subject of Empiro trade. Tho particular wanner in. which it was suggested that tho public might help was in the purchaao of Empire-produced foodstuffs, and it is of interest that the chief advocate for this form of Empire development was a Mr M. A. Phillips, a >*cw Zca-

lander. It is an unfortunate fact that there are not many people eapable of diseasing Empire preference in any direction or form without untimely references to tariffs and politics, but the ease for such preference as this Conference advocated is a complete- one in itself. It cannot be too strongly urged throughout the Empire that everyone on all occasions should put sentiment before what may appear to be the selfish interests of the moment. Whatever each householder or consumer can do by buying British goods should be done, and if it is done consistently the transaction will involve no sacrifice. But the trouble is that those who have an Empire conscience do not always have political wisdom, and that those who are politically wise may suffer from, and for. the sins of economic blunderers. We do not doubt that most of those behind the protection campaigns of the Dominions really desire a strong Empire, and that the people who placard the city of Christchurch with -warnings, in many wonderful colours, that "imported goods mean exported money," are stout British patriots. It can hardly be the purpose of the shrillest protesters against free trade to weaken the bonds that hold Homeland and Dominions together. We must assume a good intent even when the consequences are evil, and there is no better way of counteracting the evil of well-meant but practically selfish and retrograde policies than by forgetting our theories altogether and doing the obviously helpful thing. There can be no argument about the Tightness of helping our kith and kin instead of strangers. Even when this involves sacrifice tib.e obligation remains, though the difference between economic virtue and most other kinds is that the reward is sure, and usually comes soon. We hope that everybody as often as the opportunity presents itself Will be a working member of the Empire Development Society.