Inter-Imperial Trade.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1921, Page 1

Inter-Imperial Trade.

PREFERENCE TO BRITAIN. WELLINGTON, Aug. 17. A special meeting of the New Zealand Association of British Manufacturers and Agents was held to-day. Relegates from all parts of the Dominion were present. Mr G. H. Scott, president, who was in the chair, moved :—(1) That in the interests of the Empire trade and the protection of the Empire’s industries, the- units of the British Empire should carefully consider their position in regard to trading with foreign nations, who, in consequence of existing policies, practically exclude Empire products; (2) that the time has arrived for the Motherland and the overseas dominions to attempt to lay down in conference a policy whereby inter-Impcrial trade could best be consummated and conserved ; (3) that, at the present time, the best interests of New Zealand will be served by the expansion of trade within the Empire with preference to Britain, and, having this in mind, welcomes the Prime Minister’s expressed sympathy regarding the extension ol preference.” Mr Scott stressed the necessity of focussing public attention and interest on British industries and Empire trade. There was abundant evidence that British industries were lighting for their very existence. Great danger confronted us if increasing support was given to foreign products. The time, therefore, was most opportune for the Association to give the weight of its organisation to the service of British industries. It was necessary to remind tlie jieople of the Dominion that our individual and national economic safety depended enormously on the trade support they gave to the Homeland industries. While New Zealand had continued to extend her loans from the United Kingdom for development purposes, concurrently she had not extended her jitirehases from the Motherland, hut she had steadily expanded her purchases elsewhere. By 1919 the loans from the United Kingdom amounted to £95,708,000, a 051 per cent increase since 1910. Her purchases had recovered by £11,939,000, hut this represented only 381 per cent of the imports, whereas in 1910 the per cent age was 02’. It was vital to the producers in the United Kingdom that thev should he given assistance and encouragement to get into the lull swing of post-war production without being undermined during the process. Our duty therefore was to advocate Empire trade. The time was- surely arriving when the United Empire might attempt to frame some of the terms of international reciprocity. So long as the units separately traded with foreign nations, without reciprocal international terms, they might do so to the very serious disadvantage ol themselves and the Ktnpiic. Tariff revision would lie before I‘arliameut next session, and the opportunity would then arise lor the Association to emphasise the claims ol itritisli industries and impress upon the Government the advisability of collecting from foreign products anv additional customs revenue required. Our trad" patriotism, expressed hi deeds, should not fall below the standard of our own patriotism. The resolution was carried unanimously.