BRITISH GOODS EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2572, 21 September 1915, Page 8

BRITISH GOODS EXHIBITION

DISCUSSED' BY CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The ordinary meeting of tlic Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday. The presideut (Mr. C. M. Luke) occupied the chair, As this was tho first meeting in tho Chamber's new year executive officers were elected as follows President, Mr. C. SI. Luke (re-elected); vice-pre-sident,: Mr. A. Leigh Hunt (re-elected). The president said that *t3io committee appointed to consider tho Rimutaka deviation considered that'tho time had arrived when they should wait on the Minister to urge the pressing forward of the survey at least. The committee would do that as soon as some of the outside members cp.mo to Wellington. ,

It was reported that the secretary had written to the Panama Association of Commerce,, on behalf of tho council, agreeing to co-operate, and asking for an exchange of literature. Views had also been asked from the Sydney Chamber re tho proposed exhibition of British and Allies' goods. The president said that the commits tee set up to deal with th.s proposed exliibtion in Wellington liatl waited on various firms, and they had all expressed approval of the idea., In his opinion, a tariff would bo necessary to shut out Gorman goods. ® Mr. Edwards said that ttiey had to look at the tariff question from all sides. It was all very well ; to put a high tariff wall against the Germany of to-day, but after Germany had been crushed and was prepared to : take her placc in the world in a proper spirit, ho thought they would! agree Germany should bo allowed to trade. She would talce our meat and wool, and would want to exchange her goods. If German goods were cheaper than English it was the fault of tho British manufacturer. . ,

Mr. R. Hall stated that it was truo the finish of British-made goods in some lines was not as good as those of. foreign make. Mi;. _J. Reid pointed out that working conditions ajid wages in Germany helped them produce the cheap article. It was impossible for Britain to turn out articles at the same price, hence the necessity for a tariff. Probably a- preference of 50 per cent, would be found to be the limit. Mr. A. Leigh Hunt said that whatever their ideas they should do everything to help _ British trade. • They should, go on with the exhibition in tho endeavour-to do their part. Eight new members were elected. Somo discussion ensued as to the advisability of admitting a certain firm as members, in view of the fact that one of the 'partners is a young German. It was decided to hold ■ the : matter oVer till the following meeting. Committees for' the ensuing year wcr# set up. . It .was decided to consider the question of preference for. roturned soldiers at next moating.