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Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1926, Page 2

Jilt JJituc'E, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, speaking at the annual luncheon of the Australian Association of British Manufacturers and their Representatives, was outspoken, even to bluntness, on the subject of Empire trade. Hb claimed that Australia had done its best to encourage British trade, but that, so far as the local policy of Australia was concernGreat Britain “must mind its own business.” Australia legislated, he added', first in the interests of its own people, and secondly in the interests of Great Britain; and she expected Great Britain to follow a similar policy as regards British interests. He agreed that the prosperity of Great Britain carried with it the prosperity of Australia. The prosperity of Australia was vital to Great- Britain, and the prosperity of Great Britain was vital to Australia. The speech of Mr Bruce has aroused much comment. It rejoiced the extreme protectionists, hut in other quarters it is considered that he was too blunt. There is no doubt, however, that he took advantage of the opportunity to remind those who import goods into Australia that what tariff Australia imposes is her own business, nnd whether it is high or low, it is not a matter of injustice to British manufacturers. There has been a tendency on the part of the representatives of British manufacturers to speak of the injustice of the tariff from the British paint of view, rather than to refer to its inexpediency from the Australian point of view. That should he the cue to any importer.