EXPAND TRADE WITH BRITAIN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 65, 9 December 1937, Page 5

EXPAND TRADE WITH BRITAIN

Press Association.)

Need of Safeguarding N.Z.'s Main Market THE QUOTA MENACE

(By Telegraph—

WELLINGTON, Last JNignt. A review of trade and. trade relations between Britain and New Zealand, also suggestions for furtber expansion were contained in remarks by Mr. C.. W. Budd, president of the United Kingdom Manufacturers' and Mew Zealand Representatives' Association, at the annual meeting to-day. "We have heard it repeatedly stated by the Dominion's Government that it is prepared to spend every penny above interest commiments in the exchange of goods with Britain," said Mr. Budd. "However, I venture to suggest that, after the above interest charges are met this year, there will be "a credit balance in favour of .the .Dommion amounting from £7,000,000 to £9,000,000. If this were spent on goods from Britain the necessary goodwill would he maintained.

"We cannot see wnat is ro swp uuo Dominion from spending this surpluB in Britain, instead of proceeding to make trade agreements with foreign countries whose policy is so definitely towards economic nationalism," Mr. Budd added. "Any action such as a quota on English goods entering this market will surely bring a quota on our primary produce entering the United Kingdom market. How could we object to this if we started it? I sincerely hope that no more will be heard of such a drastic and unw'arranted action being taken by New Zealand. "We have been informed continually about the nejy markets (foreign) that are available to Dominion traders, but in practice this 'prospective' trade never seems to eventuate,'' continued Mr. Budd. "Time after time this Dominion is reminded that the United Kingdom is our only stable market, and since trading is a- major industry in Britain every thing possible should be done to facilitate a freer exchange of goods between tbese two countries and the other P.ominions of the Empire. "It has even. been said that the duties placed on goods- entering the | Dominion are necessary on account of i cheap labour in the United Kingdom. | Not only has this been- convincingly ! disproved, but we find tp our shame the women and children of New ZeaI land ar§ being driven. back to the | milking-sheds to provide labour for inI creased production, so that they may i be able to purchase the goods necessary to them. The farmer cannot be I blamed for this state of affairs, which is the 'direct result of the artificial restrictions continually being placed on trade. Should any world event cause the value of the produce exported from the Dominion to fall in the markets of the United KLngclom, ,,the effect would be disastrous "to this Dominion, ' and everything possible should be done at this end to pee that actions designed to promote trade with the United Kingdom are such that the resulting prosperity will be mutual."