TRADE RELATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1920, Page 3

TRADE RELATIONS

<By Electric Telegraph—Con., ijifit.< (Receved this day at 11.30 a.m.) f (LONDON, July G. j Mr Stuart McGregor, tlije British Trade Commissioner in Australia has returned to -London. ■ After comprehensive inquiries in Britain, lie states lie finds British • progress, reconstruction and resettlement most satisfactory in the circumstances. It is not surprising there has been industial unrest after the ordeal of war. It is hoped when the war business has worn off, the shorter hours and improved conditions of -Labour "ill result in greatly increased production per unit. The Country is experiencing great internal and external trade prosperity. Exports for five months of 1920 were at flic rate of 1528 millions sterling annually compared with 6-34 millions 111 1913. The. former figure included 1250 millions! the value of goods produced or manufactured in the Kingdom. Regarding the prices of manufactured goods, McGregor states it is felt in many quarters that present prices are beginning to restrict, consumption all the world over, and prices will tend to fall, hut a slump in Britain is not anticipated. The financial position in the United Kingdom does not cause any anxiety. Mr McGregor says he considers it was inevitable that the United Kingdom’s, exports to Australia should decrease in war time, to Hie advantage of America and Japan, but he liopecj the. current year would slfown an improvement from the British point of view. Mr McGregor, ’ } n -i comprehensive article in the Board of Trade. Journal surveys Australian progress and pays attention particularly to the increased trade with other Dominions- and possessions, which had more than doubled in four years. He considers British manufacturers should improve commercial organisations in order to cope with American rivals, whose enterprise, appeals to Australians and is likely to make America a serious competitor of (Britain, when -they gain a greater experience of oversea trade.

IMPERIAL RECIPROCAL. TRADE. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 7.

At ' the Imperial Industries idulis dinner to Sir Thomas MaeKeirzie, the latter urged imperial reciprocal trade. He described the New Zealand tariff ip favour of Britain, as against her enemies. New Zealand recognised that the spending of money with people who might again be our enemies, only assisted in building them up for aggression .