The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1927. TRADING WITHIN THE EMPIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1927. TRADING WITHIN THE EMPIRE.

I Last week some reference was made in I this eolmnn to Empire trade pos.sihiliLies. In connection with the subject I there is the very important aspect of trade expansion within the British Empire, as a. material means to strengthen the Empire itself financially, and with the object of making it more and more . self-contained. This latter appears to be essential because of the tariff harriers being raised against British exports by foreign countries, and it becomes primarily necessary to create a domestic trade within the family that that will give an assured stability to industries, and at the same time encourage their expansion in the creation of the increasing wealth and production necessary to ensure the maintenance of a fair standard of living for the nation, and at the same time assure the financial and commercial standing of the Empire as a. very material factor | in world progress with which Great Britain and her Dominions must keep step. For better trading within the British Empire a national marketing hoard was set up. In a reference to its work, an English periodical goes on to remark that although established only in the early summer of last year, the Empire Marketing Board, whose first report has just been issued, lias achieved a great measure of success. While publicity lias been put in the forefront of the Board’s activities, it is realised that it is no good telling the public to buy Empire produce unless it is obtainable in the s-hops, is of good quality and reasonable in price. Careful attention is therefore being given to scientific research and methods of furthering the marketing of Empire produce. Much of this produce, of course, already fulfills the requirements of quality and price, but producers in many parts of the Empire have not yet had an opportunity of acquiring the market experience of older competitive countries. The Board considers that the best way to aid such producers is first to place at their disposal the resources of science and economic investigation as to up-to-date methods of sowing and planting, tending and harvesting, and transporting without deterioration, and, secondly, to show how to present 1 the goods in the shop window or on the counter, so as to win the critical housewife’s eye. As a means to this end active advertising has been adopted. Research lias been encouraged by grants to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Scottish Board of Agriculture, Dominion Governments and various research stations and institutes at home and in the Dominions. The report states that the Board has felt that in the vigorous support of scientific research it has an evident duty and a notable opportunity; it is getting each month into closer touch with scientific institutions overseas; while much is hoped in this respect from the Imperial Agricultural Research Conference during the coming autumn. It is pointed out, for example, that, although in 192-5 fruit was imported to the value of £49.000.000, more than three times the average annual value for the years 1909 to 1913, only aliout a quarter came from Empire sources. Increased Empire production can be secured by furnishing to erowers tbe results of the latest scientific research, and this course is being pursued with 'excellent results, in this and other directions. An office for the scientific inspection of Empire fruit, connected .

with observation from the orchard to the shop counter, has been established in Liverpool, which has been found so successful that a similar course has been followed in London, and establishments for this purpose are also to> lie opened in Manchester and Hull. Daily produce problems have been investigated; special attention has been paid to this season’s Australian dried fruits, ami a special mission will he scat to Australia to consult witli the Commonwealth Government as to trade extension. Other branches of tho work of the Board comprise exhibitions. Umpire shopping weeks, window-dressing competitions, and lectures.