The Dominion. FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1918. OUR TRADE WITH BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 287, 23 August 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1918. OUR TRADE WITH BRITAIN

The injurious effect- of the war on Bvitisli trade was referred to by M.H. R. \V. Daltok, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, at the luncheon tendered to him on Wednesday by the Association of British Manufacturers and Agents. Ho stated that last year's figures showed a very disagreeable situation, and the British manufacturers would have to hold as hard as they could to keep their trade connection in New Zealand. These words havo a pessimistic ring, but Mr._Dai,ton' is not by any means- a pessimist, and when his speech is considered a- whole one feels that the outlook disclosed is on the whole, quite hopeful. A war of such unexampled magnitude as that in which the Empire is now engaged was' bound to have an upsetting influence on trade. The requirements of the Army and Navy had to take prudence over all other forms of jr/tustry. An enormous amount of .labour and machinery which had previously been used for ordinary trade purposes has been diverted to the manufacture of munitions, and so many ships have been requisitioned by the Imperial Government for war work, tha-t it has been extremely difficult to export British goods to oversea customers. The wonder is that the dislocation of trade has not been more complete. When all things are taken into account, it is not the decrease in British exports to New Zealand that is surprising, but rather the fact that it lias been possible to do as much business as has actually been done. We must, not allow ourselves to bo unduly alarmed by comparative figures. It would, of course, be most unwise to ignoro them and to lull ourselves into a false security by' imagining that all will be well when the walls over owing to the operation of some inevitable necessity which wilT ensure the continued prosperity of tho British Empire whether wo exert ourselves or not. But we know that if we really want to readjust the balance in favour of British trade when peace is restored wo have the power to do so. It is our present duty to keep things going as veil as possible in the circumstances, and to make our preparations so as to be ready to take full advantage of every opportunity for strengthening our commercial connections with the Motherland when normal conditions are re-established.

Mi. Dalton understands the characteristics and point of view of the British manufacturers, and for two anda-half years he has carefully studied public sentiment, in New Zealand and tho attitude of our business people as regards the buying and selling of British-made foods. He knows how strong is the feeling that the time has come for the more effective organisation of trade with the object of fosterinp and expanding the Empire's industries. If the war has temporarily checked i tho progressive development of British trade, it has also emphasised the need for a greater degree of commercial unity and mutual help among the States of which the Empire is composed. Me. Dalton is justified-in his confidence, that the harvest will come later. He will bcable to assure tho people at Home that in New Zealand the business agents and the general public are ready and willing to give the British manufacturers every support, and he states that he will strongly impress upon the British manufacturers the duty of giving the fullest consideration to the requirements of their New Zealand agents. It is considered possible that when ordinary trade relations are resumed British firmsmay be inclined to give prior attention to markets nearer at hand than this Dominion. This possibility must be guarded against. There must be loyalty on both sides. The people of New Zealand desire to give every encouragement to New Zealand industries. That is only right and natural. With this reservation, they have a wholesome prejudice in favour of British-made goods. They sympathise with the British manufacturer.in his nresont difficulties, and they do not "expect that trade will flow automatically and immediately into the old channels the moment the war is ovei. They will be reasonable and patient. The.y will readily admit the force of Mr. D.ilton's reminder that something must be done to enable the British manufacturers to re-establish their lost trade connections. This is a fair claim. For our own sake, and for the sake of the Empire, it is highly desirable that Britain should get back into her stride as a great manufacturing nation with all possible speed after the war is won.

The Government of New Zealand has already taken action to ensure that our present enemies will not in future bo given the same facilities for peaceful-penetration as they enjoyed before the- war; but it may be found necessary to adopt still more drastic measures for frustrating his endeavours to regain his lost trade by indirect and surreptitious methods- The Government will have to be constantly on its guard against the enemy's trade offensive. Germany believes that the world caanot do without her. However that may be, _ Nc\v Zcalancjcrs have made up their minds to shut out Germanmade goods and to risk any inconvenience that may result. Ministers have committed themselves over and over again in the plainest terms to this policy; but their assurances cannot be repeated too often. This policy was reaffirmed on Wednesday bv the Hon. A. M. Myers, who gave expression to the views of the general public when ho stated that we must not go back to the old policy ,of trading with the enemy or with

those countries which might one day desire to question our existence. We have, learned by bitter experience the folly of allowing a nation which was all along plotting and planning to wreck our Empire to grow rich by selling us its manufactures, and in this way to build up a great army and navy for the purpose of accomplishing its evil designs against us. ft is to ho hoped that the Government and Parliament will take every opportunity of giving practical effect to the strong desire of the people of New Zealand that in trade preference should be given to their kith and kin, that the principle of British trade for British people should be adopted, and that trade within the Empire should Ire fostered in every rational way. The Government must be prepared to act, and to act boldly and effectively.