VISIT OF BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1917, Page 4

VISIT OF BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER.

Address by Mr Dalton

The Mayor (Mr G. A. Parry) PtpaideiS over a g&uivt ing

of cit zat the C 'UU'V On&mb-r- ---, .i- R ye ie “HV ‘ W. p.«}-i>o, Imparvai ‘iVtwis C..auras* Merer. Mr Perry intioduoed Mr Dalton, and remarked that the subject he would deal with was one of great moment from an Imperial point of

view. Mr Dalton thanked the Mayor for the kindly reception, and spoke of the present aim for national trade rather than international trade. The effect of this it was believed would have & great effect on Imperial industries. Another effeot would be the advancement of the British manufaotuier. The British manufacturer was often blamed for not coping with the world’s trade. This was unjust, as the war had disclosed. The war had not ehowed Britain as wanting. Over 5,000,000 men had gone To the wer. That represented about half the effective producers. Despite that drain* Britain had risen to the needs of tho occasion and was performing a colossal work now in keeping supplies of all kinds for th 9 effective conduct of the war. The success of production of manufactures was a big home market. It was this fact which controlled the value of the British article for outside markets. Goods ware bsing standardised for the market where the consumption was the greatest. The war haa made the British manufacturer more enterprising. Before the war he was in a groove as it were. He had a comfortable business and was satisfied with what he had, rather than aiming for what he might obtain. The war bad shown him that there wab more in trade than personal comfort. He realised his place in the national scheme, so that he could help to build up industries which would assist the nation in a national way. The Board of Trade at Home sought to improve the export trade of Britain. That had been attempted prior to the war. It was being more keen since and when the war was over their organisation, it was hoped, would be so satisfactory that they would be able to invade all the world’s markets.

Tbe war bad helped manufacturers tremendously in the expansion of their business, Buildings had been enlarged, machinery introduced without a penny of capital expenditure, thanks to tbe help from the War Departments. The Departments gave colossal orders, and out of the profits from this trade, even though the profits were not large, Hie manufacturers were enabled to expand their means of coping with these extra orders. The volume of the business was so large that it paid to cater for it, and the British manufacturer had risen to the occasion. After the war the surplus machinery would create very large stocks which would be available for export. The new machinery introduced was largely automatic, and standardised the goods, and this manufacture would go od. This would result in a cheaper British article then heretofore. The trade was going to be helped thereby, and also, be hoped, by a strooger patriotism. (Hear, Hear.) He had gathered that there was a good deal of misunderstanding as to the position of the Home manufacturer. The responsibility for this was with the British Government which controlled the position. The Home trade and the profits were alike regulated,and the manufacturer was under complete control and in respect to 5000 controlled works had to do exactly as tho manufacturer was told.

The foreign trader wab now out after British trade, because the latter was restricted jast now, in order to keep up supplies at the front. The British manufacturer did that as a

matter of duty, though the foreign trade would be more profitable at the present stage. The war was an Empire war, and New Zealand was as much concerned as any other of the Dominions in the result. (Applause.)

•• Mr W, J. Butler said there was some ground for tbe critioism of the British manufacturer in the past. The fact of the great improvement sioed the war began, evidenced that there had been room for improvement. He also thought the manufacturer should study colonial conditions, and not leave it to the seller to push trade

irrespective of whether the articles were suitable to local conditions.

Mr Dalton agreed that manufacturers should visit the probable markets. He had urged that in every report he sort HLo.oe. He >.]-•-:* f>.l!y repos t,-r! oa i’A 'tada details b ought under Im notice, «i;d that • o o >' o t-&-ing thrungh ii Gove: ntrscr.f, a; id weight wi.Ji ib.f-: man nine surer* v.ho might be ivffycL'd. Mr T. W. Bruce, in referring to cotton received from Britain, raid the Home manufacturer did not follow the continental plan of supplying the cotton in assorted numbers. The same applied to domes—they wtro not obtainable m assorted G:za?.

Mr Dalton said it was not generally kuosvn at Home that the New Zealanders weie such huge individual importers, either direct or by indenting. Tho matter raised by Mr Bruce prabably turned on tbe quantities ordered or required, and he would bring the matter under the notice of the cotton manufacturer?. Speaking of tbe domes—clip fasteners-—he said ibs trade in these was colossal, and Britain could supply them us cheap as anybody. Ttn dome works wore now making shell caps, and that would be kept going till shell caps were not required. (Hear Hear.) Mr Hj L. Michel enquired if it was thought possible to have Imperial preference without increasing the coat of living. The nation with the cheap goods aftsr the war, would get its goods in—that was always the tendency. An eastern country not unfriendly to Britain was now attempting to capture trade in New ZealandThere was also the question of the “go slow ” policy to be considered, which restricted production. Mr Dalton said Britain was not asking for preferences. Cost of living was a dual question. What you paid and what you got for the amount paid. The Empire was big enough to support itself. With regard to foreign competition, the average consumer took the cheapest article- Britain could always compete with these cheap markets, and he gave instances where this had been done.

Mr H. L. Michel moved that this meeting appreciates Mr Dalton’s able address and general explaration. The address was highly entertaining and instructive. Mr Dalton’s mission must do gord, and wished him success in his Dominion tour. Mr J. Park seconded the moiion. He said the address was very clear end lucid, and would open their minds to tbe new conditions arising as a result of tbe war. The motion was earned with acclamation. Mr Dalton thanked the meeting for the great kindness shown him. He was rather advised not to come to Hokitika, but he must say he had had the best time here of any place in the Dominion. He thanked them all very kindly. The singing of tbe National Anthem closed tbe proceedings.