POST-WAR PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2686, 4 February 1916, Page 5

POST-WAR PROBLEMS

BOARD OF TRADE COMMITTEE'S REPORT

By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. February 3, 9.50 p.m.) London, February 2. Mr. Runciman, President of the Boarc of Trade, has issued a report of the Commercial Intelligence Committee oi the Hoard of Trade, of which Mr. Alger, non Firth is chairman, after an inquiry which was largely the result of Sii Thomas Mackenzie's representations. The committee since July has been in vestigat-ing trade with a. view to provid ing a basis for the comprehensive treat ineiit of post-war problems, especially thoso concerning the Dominions and th< Allies. The 'evidence was particularly directed to the paper, outlery, leather glassware, china, earthenware, electrical apparatus, printing, stationery, jew. cilery, brush, and hardware trades. ' The committee recommends Government assistance for scientific researcl in industry. 'Although British manufacturers and workmen have not always appreciated scientific investigation'm technical training, the Germap technical institutions have given valuable assistonce. The committee believes that tlis extensive scheme of State aid to industrial research winch the committee oi tlio Privy Council recently established will be of great value if the manufacturers co-operate. Large funds an needed. The evidence disclosed widespread dissatisfaction with the British railways The report states that under Germany'; State system for advancing her export trade the German Government subsidised firms, enabling them to carry out big engineering works in the British Dominions, which British firms, if they hac been similarly assisted, were equally able to undertake. The German potteries received Cornwall and Devon clays at 3s. per toi cheaper than it could be transporter to the British potteries. Child labour and low wages gave the advantage t.c Germany. The evidence showed thai the German workmen put in longei hours and gave greater attention theii work than the British worker. Electrical firms recommended a unification of the Empire's patent laws. Tariff protection was the most important question investigated. It was generally feared that after tho war Bri tain would be flooded with Austro-Ger man goods, at any price, accentuating previous competition, and involving (lis aster to British manufacturers who ha< been encouraged to extend their opera tions with a viow to capturing ihi enemy's trade. The committee recommended That the trade commissions which had been found satisfactory in tlie Dominions, ought to be extended to foreign countries; That the consular service ought to be reorganised, increasing their commercial utility; , That Austro-German goods imported ought to bo marked, "made in Germany," and other foreign goods marked- "not British •/ That a tribunal ought to Be constituted to prevent British shipowners and railway companies from giving preference to traders in other countries; . That shipping companies ougnt to he prohibited from charginglii"her rates from Britain than from tlio North, of Europe; . The establishment of a- Ministry of Commerce respecting goods, of vital importance to national Batety, whoso manufacture had fallen into hands outside Britain (tariff protection ought to be aftorded to British people who were ready to manufacture the same, to cnaolo them to maintain their production after the war). . . A strong desiro exists that we should respond to tho feeling ot the Dominions in favour of Imperial trade preference, and also with . the Allies; a larger proportion ot the revenue ought to be denved from, impart duties. Sir Albert Spicer (who was chairmar of the Dominions Royal Commissioi which visited New Zealand) _ signs th( report, and adds a reservation, point in* out that the industries mvestigate'd°exclude many of tho greatest. He deprecates immediate protection. in< war itself," he says, "is an automatic protection, and the prejudice agams Austro-German goods is likely to act as a protection for some -years aftei war" He hopes that the whol( question will be considered after thf war in tie light of an agreed policy with tho Dominions and Britain 6 Allies.