The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8th, 1925. BRITISH EXPORT TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL Bth, 1925. BRITISH EXPORT TRADE.

W m;.\ the Committee on Industry and Trade was appointed by Mr Ramsay MacDonald in July, 1921, the terms of reference were: “To inquire into and ’ report upon the conditions and prospects of British industry and commerce, >'it|i s,e.ial reference to the export trade, and to make recommendations in regard thereto.” No one at that time ' quite realised the magnitude of the task, and it is now evident to the committee themselves, lonlinuing their , work with the approval of the present Government, that many months must elapse—perhaps even two years— before they can formulate conclusions an<l recommendations. At the same time it has been borne in upon the committee. that the information obtained in their investigations is so valuable tlmt it should be made available without delay. Sir Arthur Balfour, of Sheffield, the chairman, in explaining the , intentions of the committee recently, at the Board of Tiadc, said that as they had pro. coded with the work they had been forced to tile conclusion that one of the greatest services they could render to the industry and trade of the country was of an educational character. With that idea, in mind, they were preparing volumes on different subjects—they Imped to get the first one out in April, dealing particularly I with the markets of the world—and lie was coi tain, speaking, a.s a manutneturer, that if proper use was made of those volumes, they would give a clear indication as to where merchants could I test send their goods, and how they could maintain the old markets and secure new ones. “If we can get enougi merchants and manufacturers to make use of our information,” he declined, “I am quite certain it will improve the trade of this country.” The volumes which were about to be published would not contain tlie conclusions of the committee, and would not be interim reports; they would' bo devoted entirely to tne most valuab. s information which came into the possession of the uimmitke, and would he issued with a preface, making certain observations on uni indications of the main features of 'each volume. The first volume would he devoted to the overseas markets, because it was of that matter they had the most complete knowledge at the present time. Since the committee was set up they had dealt w ith certain minor trades, hut it was obviously desirable that they should devote their main attention to the position of a number of great producing and manufacturing industries and the trades associated with them, such as coal, iron, and steel, engineering and shipbuilding, elect: I

cal manufacturing, chemicals, cotton, woollen and worsted, clothing and boot; and shoes. Cotton was to he the first really big industry investigated. Iron and steel would be taken next, and engineering would follow. In every case evidence would he welcomed from employers and employed, from the mer-. chants as well as from manufacturers, and from those engaged in the export and import branches of the trade. National organisations and individual associations, I Kith lof employers and work-people, the co-operative movement, chandlers of commerce, associations of merchants, various organisations connected with transport, hankers, and economists had all promised to give evidence. A report dealing with the work of the committee states with regard to the volumes to be issued during this year that : “The material

supplied includes a mass of statistical information relating both to trade and to labour questions. It includes also a survey of all the important countries of the world in their aspect as markets where British goods have found, or could find, an entry. Another division of the material includes full information about tariffs, commercial treaties, and other similar instruments affecting the treatment of British exoprts considered as imports into their various markets. In this connection some attention has been given to the treatment accorded to British shipping bv foreign countries. A highly important branch of the manufacturing and exporting industries of the United Kingdom, their development and present condition, and in this connection technical education and research in their relation to production arc touched upon. The question of standardisation lias not been overlooked. Closely connected with the problem of production are various questions relating to labour conditions, hours, wages, and methods of remuneration. industrial disputes, and methods cf settlement, welfare, growth of trade unionism, and many other subjects. and tlie committee ale endeavouring to arrange that the volumes shall contain as much of this material as (an properly be published.”