TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2523, 31 July 1915, Page 6

TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE

VIEWS OF FARMERS. The importance of fostering' trade within the Empiro was urged at yesterday's sitting of tho Farmers' Union Conferenco, when Mr. R. D. Duxfield (Auckland) moved: "That in view of the hostile and bitter attitude that many foreign countries have shown towards tho British Empire during the present war, this conference is strongly of the opinion that tho Farmers' Union in Now Zealand should energetically contend for preferential trade within the Empire and with our Allies while they remain so." 'On being seconded the motion gave rise to a fairly lengthy discussion. Speaking in support of the. motion, Major Lusk declared that the proposal was not only_ desirable, but was an absolute necessity. Mr. Geo. Gardner (North Canterbury) said that people would purchase their gcods in the cheapest market. Mr. John M'Qucen (Southland) urged care in dealing with the matter. If Germany wore crushed, wo would never get ai indemnity. It w'as, he said, unwise to crush any nation. A preferential tariff was what was wanted. Aftor furthor expression of views, Mr. G. Sheat (North Canterbury) moved by way 9E amendment: "That this conferenco is of opinion that Parliament should tako further steps to give preference to British-iuadc goods, and that this union,, through its branches, foster trade within the Empire." The amendment .ivua adopted in plaw