BRITISH EMPIRE PRODUCERS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1929, Page 7

BRITISH EMPIRE PRODUCERS

MEETING IN LONDON. A meeting of tlio Council and ViceP reside ills of the British Empire Producers’ Organisation was held at Imperial Chemical House, Alillbaiik, London, at 3 p.m., on Tuesday, 12th November. Lord Melt-licit was welcomed as the new C hnirman of the Organisation •>.y Mr V. A. Malconison, the ViceChairman. Lord Melchett proposed the. following resolution : “That, having in mind the desirability of the adoption of a policy of the development of the Empire as an economic unit, this Council recommends that immediate steps be taken to promote the conclusion of extended reciprocal trade agreements between the United Kingdom and the several parts of the Empire overseas.” Lord .Melchett, in his support of the resolution, stated that there was no greater need at the moment than a fusion of the British Empire, in order to promote interchange of commodities, goods and services. The necessity of' amalgamations ill trade was as apparent in nations as ill industries. It was a curious paradox that during the whole of the political agitation on fiscal matters iaige units had become more and more inter-related in trade. For example, Canada, Australia, and the most outstanding example of all, the United States. The Civil War was not fought mainly on a question of slavery but on the wider question of the trade relationships between the various parts of America. The tendency towards large economic units was being stressed by the growing development of the United States. Among tho best minds and the dearest thinkers in Europe there was more than a tendency towards the creation of the United Economic States of Europe. The development of this idea into a concrete fact might take -time, but there could he no gainsaying the adherence' that the idea bad so obtained. Britain vas therefore faced with a clear issue. It was whether she was to combine in an economic entity with the rest r.f Europe, or whether the was to develop the Empire as economically united. Britain with its large population and small area had become entirely unbalanced as between industry and agriculture. Owing to this Unequal balance tlie whole economic life of the country was threatened. Outside coal, Britain was not self-con-tained in any essential raw materials. We had to discover a means of readjusting this balance. The way was clear, It was to 'balance ovef-imlus-trialised Britain, with the over-agri-culturalised other units cf the Empire. For in nutural wealth and resources the various parts of the British Empire presented an economic complex in comparison with which the United States was almost insignificant. The problem was how to organise , the Empire in such a way as to obtain the best results for the whole. It was not a problem which could be considered from the merely local point of' view. On tho other hand no part of the Empire could be expected to make sacrifices without receiving compensations. There were certain paiiis of the Empire which were better suited for the production of certain commodities than other parts. These should bo given the opportunity to produce! those commodities to ilio best economic advantage of the Empire.

hi ore than three years ago ho had suggested the outlines of the proposals to organise the Empire as an economic unit in Canada, in Toronto the capital of Ontario, which was one of the greatest strongholds of protection within the Empire. His proposals then had received the enthusiastic- support of his audience. His speech had been printed in tho official publication of the Government of Ontario.

Ho was glad to be privileged to preside over an organisation <opresentative of the primary producers of the Empire. The British Empire had such resources of raw materials which could contribute all the Empire’s requirements and give the Empire a power which, if properly used, would be irresistible. There was the power to withhold from other countries supplies of those essential commodities in which the Empire possessed a virtual monopoly. This was naturally something to be remembered when Empire products were being unfairly treated in other markets. It would then not be a case of erecting a tariff against goods from such countries but a case, of the Empire demanding its owns terms. This was an essential power of the Empire which required organising and use. The - country must get away from the influence of old controversies. The economic situation and outlook was now completely altered. The situation had changed from the days when Sir Joseph Chamberlain enunciated his tariff proposals, and still more from the days of Co'bden and Bright. Ho had opposed Mr Chamberlain’s proposals hut in the economic situation of the world to-day lie felt Mr Chamberlain had been right although perhaps a little before bis time.,He had sought to hind the Empire together with economic ties. The British people already believed in the development of the Empire as an economic! unit. They wore working for an ideal object and a practical form would have to he reached. The machinery and methods to he used would have to he varied and elastic. One of the moist practical methods of achieving the desired oh-

jeet was concurrently with the Imperial Conference to hold an Empire Conference of Business Men to discuss new developments there were; and what measures had better bo adopted for tho prosperity of the Empire. There was no central organisation in existence which could deal with thoso matters. Tho agenda of che Imperial Con fere neb was always so full and thoso attending had always to consider domestic politics that it was not possible to got going during its sessions. Therefore it was of the utmost importance that those who undertsood British trade and Imperial trade should sit down together to a frank aud free discussion of the problem with the endeavour to find solutions.

He had already received informal support throughout the Empire for his suggestions lor a business men's conference. Canada- was prepared to co-operate. There were important business men in Australia who desired to participate. South Africa too was more than interested and bn would devote a considerable part of his forthcoming visit to- South Africa to discuss tho suggestion and the problem with representative business interests there. There was no doubt that with good will and a real desire to promote tho Empire economic unit that any apparent difficulties could easily be overcome. The country irrespective of party or faction was paving more and more attention to the iequirements of the economic situation. Morn and more interest was being taken in the question of greater in-ter-imperial trade. The statistics showed that the only direction in which British trade was advancing was in inter-imperial directions. This alone should he sufficient to convince any doubters. A start should be made to develop this growing crude on. organised lines. Personally lie was more acquainted with industry than with tho production of primary materials but from the Empire point of view both were of equal importance. He felt sure that the British Empire Producers Organisation would co-operate with other bodies in studying all the various parts of the problem involved so that Empire industry and agriculture could progress to the advantage of the whole Empire and all its component parts. Sir 'Edward Dawson, Bart, exPrcsideitt of the Federated Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire seconded the resolution which vas supported by the Hon. Henry Bniwell (Agent General for South Australia), the Hon. F. A. Pauline (Agent General for British Columbia), Mr Charles McNeil and Sir Humphrey Leggett. r Tho resolution was carried unanimously. The preliminary work for a report Oil the present position of Empire production and trade for submission to the Government; and later to the ’ Imperial Conference, was _ discussed. Among other matters of importance dealt with by the meeting were: A long report, with statistical alyses,°on Britain’s food supply with special reference to the Empire entitled “Tho Key to Empire Trade;” the preparation, for weekly publication, of comparative prices (producer’s, wholesale and retail) of the principal food commodities; a pioposed Conference of British agricultural associations to endeavour to bring about a- common policy between Overseas Empire and Home agricultural producers, particularly of wheat, meat and dairy products.