EMPIRE TRADE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2377, 5 February 1915, Page 6

EMPIRE TRADE LEAGUE

BRANCH FORMED IN AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, February 4. An enthusiastic gathering of over 100 prominent citizens, presided over by the Mayor, carried a motion constituting an Empire Trade League at the Town Hall. The Mayor explained that a number of business people who had waited on lsim suggested that the time was opportune to organise the sentiment for trade within the Empire. In a letter of apology for unavoidable absence, Mr. Bart Kent, president of tho Auckland Chamber of Commerce, strongly: supported the objects of tho meeting. , Mr. A. M. Myers, M.P., also expressed by letter his. strong sympathy with the objects of the movement. He suggested the establishment of an Empire trade-mark, and the need -for an Imperial Development Board. One' letter showed that there were excellent prospects of the league being formd in Wellington. The Mayor moved: "That the time is opportune to organise in Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand a movement in favour of trade within the.Empire, and the meeting pledges its hearty support to any such movement." Mr. W. A. Beddoe, Canadian Trade Commissioner, seconded the motion, and said it required the integrity of the Empire to be.called into question before necessary action was taken. No trne Britisher would give comfort to the enemy by trading with him. The German nation commercially was to be admired. He read their "Ten Commandments," urging the use of German things only. The Germans lived up to those professions, and such an example could with advantage be followed. New Zealand had paid over £2000 a day to Germany, and every eight days the Empire contributed the equivalent of a Dreadnought to the German Navy and thirty-nine of them in a, year. In the face of such facts how could they continue to trade with Germany? Canada gave a preference to 'every portion of the Empire except Australia, because Australia had not given it to Canada. New Zealand did not give it to, or receive it from Australia. Why was that so? It was not British, and it was not necessary. He sjggosted a reciprocal preferential tariff within the Empire, transporation facilities with a system of uniform freight, rates of a permanent character and the institution of commercial.services-designed to bring together the exporter and importer. The motion was carried unanimously, amidst cheers. It was decided that an association be formed to be styled "The Association for the Promotion of British Trade," membership to be within the discretion of the executive, and to be open to any British traders or manufacturers.