TRADING WITH THE ENEMY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2475, 31 May 1915, Page 3

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY

HOW TO PREVENT IT. In response to an invitation, Mr. A. R. Bennett, organiser of the Board of Trade movement, addressed the Wellington Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

Mr. Sennett said that interest in the establishment of the. projected Board of Trade and Industries had become intensified recently, as it was realised that it would bei able to play an active part in regard to the prevention of Germany and Austria trading with the Dominion to the prejudice 01 our Empire trade.

"I have referred to the urgent necessity of, at once, concerting measures to prevent trading with our enemies," he said. "I repeat this advisedly, because there is incontrovertible evidence of the fact that trading with the enemy is still going on. German goods are still being imported and sold. This is proved by the fact that tho lines have boon offered to merchants whoso loyalty has led them to refuse to deal'in such goods; whilst tho same goods have been identified as being sold by retailers. All this could be put an end 'to by proper organisation." Mr. Sennett suggested that before the Board of Trade was set up Chambers of Commerco should set up "Empire Trade Committees." He further suggested that such committees should include those representatives whom thoy would subsequently elect upon the Board of Trade and Industries

"It is well known by importers that buyers are simply waiting until tho war is over to go to Germany and Austria to buy large quantities of cheap goods and swamp the world with them," he said. "During the time our enemies have been isolated they havo worked up their raw material largely without being able to get rid of it. Consequently we shall have their representatives upon us —it has been said — like 'bees out of a hive'—offering these goods. Now, seeing that they will be very short of capital thoy will be prepared to accept almost any price for their wares. Against such prices our Empire's goods will be powerless to compete. It will be equivalent to tho hugesfc stroke of 'dumping' ever known. The 'all-for-self' purchasers, and those of short industrial vision, will doubtless think this a huge advantage to their country, regardless of the fact that it may spell ruin to Empire workers." To meet and counter such an invasion ho suggested that there ought to be imposed aii adequate surtax. He advocated next such small import duties as might be necessary to establish industries which really ought to be established here, arguing that 110 other country had ever grown permanently rich or prosperous by the export of primary products alone. Mr. Sennett concluded his address with some reference to the proposed constitution and activities of the proposed Board of Trade.