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Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1925, Page 2

(■ itADUAi.t.v, ami no less surely, the value of preference in the matter of trade is being forced on “tree trade'’ England. The Labor party is coining to regard that corn-lush n as a certainty. This conclusion, indeed, is being borne on the people because the ‘•merciless” taxation of Great Britain as it has been described- leaves but little hope for an expanding trade outside the Empire. In a recent study ot the value of the Kill] ire trade, in a work entitled "Sheltered Markets" by Mr F. E. Mcßougall, there is. according to a reviewer, a most valuable and instructive analysis of British trade before and after the war. which demonstrates conclusively to all who will study its figures the immense importance of Empire trade to Great Britain. As Sir liobert Horne says in a Iren(bant little preface: “Everyone lias now tiime t< 1 realise that the loumlation of employment consists of orders for goods, and such orders can only come from markets in which the products of oar labour can be sold. The main conclusion at which the writer arrives is that the Overseas Dominions of our Empire and the British Colonies provide us with the most likely means- if not the only means ul redressing the pre;arious position in which we stand to-day.” Mr MeDougall. the author, argues, and supports bis arguments by most client ivc figures, that the full’ stress of competition for Britain has yet to come and will fie severer than anything yet experienced. Ibe advantages which in the ) ast were possessed have vanished, for the most part. They are more than counterbalanced by the developments in the l’ ni ted States. Germany, and other countries. The less 'tangfiblc advantages. superior industrial skill and organisation, have become less as ot,

nations have increased their mantifact cfiiciciK v. liritisli industry is mnv burdened with heavier taxation than that of any other country. 'I hi* taxation naturally increases the cost ol product i< n and places the British export trade at a certain disadvantage. With eolnpetiturn on more nearly level terms in technical .skill and equipment, and po.sses'ing in many i-ases as great or greater natural advantage*, the lintish export trade will roqui rc> in future all the .shelter that it can obtain. Germail conipctitinii will grow worse; French competition is l.ecoming serious. Some very striking ligures prove that, before the war. British trade with Gcrmany was being carried on upon lines most disadvantageous to this country. Britain sent Germany £11.880.01 !U n: fully manufactured goods and took from her £35,350.009 worth. There i little nr no hope of expansion in foreign trade or in European trade: hut in Knipire trade there are immense possibilities and there the problem of “Men. Money and Markets’' may be sated with their aid.

In tlie four chief centres to-day there will lie much movement and interest manifested in the visits of tin* four sections of the American Fleet. The visit is a notable one in many respects. The great armada of the Pacific has come a long way to show itself. But the visit is not necessarily for show. The cruise has been devised to test on various phases of naval preparedness, and the double purpose is served of seeing and being seen. There is sure to he a very cordial welcome extended to our English speaking cousins and a recognition of the fraternal relations which should exist naturally between the- United .States and our own Kmpire. The visitors are not unfamiliar with the British Navy, for over a period of the (.’rent War, the American Fleet was in service with the British Navy chiefly in Kuropean waters. There is in any case a. common brotherhood existing between the two nations, and this creates at once an atmosphere of friendliness. America's part in world happenings is of course very great. There is power and wealth within the United States which conjoined with that of Great Britain might dominate the whole world. It is ■well that the two nations should have a more intimate knowledge of each other so that a hotter anil more lasting understanding may be established. The visit at the time time opens the way to an extended friendship with parts of the Kmpire which have an interest in common with the United States in the course of events in the Pacific. It is well, therefore, tnat the visit is taking place, and we may lie sure at the end of the few days stay with 11s Now Zealand will have made many friends and created a. bond of intimacy wide' j it is to he hoped will he ever increasing in cordiality for the benefit of both nations.