The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1930. BRITISH OVERSEAS TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1930. BRITISH OVERSEAS TRADE.

Ijit; only way in which Great Britain (-.-in win luck the prosperity which the war, and its chaotic aftermath, filched D'om her, is through a revival of 1 undepressed industries. This implies that she must recover lu-r overseas trade with the countries of the world which, prior to the war, were good customers of hers. It is satisfactory, therefore, to learn that ten commissioners are to 'bo appointed whose business it will be to promote, to the extent ol their ability, the growth of British trade with foreign countries. Ihe criticism has often been levelled

at. Great Britain that conservative methods in marketing, and the failure to study with suflieiont care Hie requirements of customers and prospective customers, have contributed largely to the diversion to other countries of trade which she might have retained. Tills was, it may he assumed, the thought which the Prime of Wales had in mind when lie made his pertinent query, in a now famous speech, "Is our salesmanship entirely up-to-date:-’’ The reply to the question lias almost im-ari-r.lv Ikcni in tin- negative. While il may lie conceded that British export o-ih have lately displayed more enterprise thin formerly in "pushing” their goods, there is still room for the development of efficient methods in salesmanship. The figures relating to the overseas t rade ol Great 'Britain in 1929 do not show that any substantial improvement was (broughtabout in the course ol the twelve months. Actually the total value ol the exports from Britain decreased by ££-1,566.iTi). or by 6 per cent. as commi red with the previous year.

while imports showed an increase ol L'26.993,bi11!. Allowance must be made in those figures, how ever, for (he fall in prices last year, so that the phvsic.-i I volume of export compares more favourably than the value of them with the returns for 192 X. Nevertheless, the recovery is so slow . io he a I tile.-, t i:ii:i, piv. iu-Ue, ami

the .. most optimistic remark the Economist was able to make in its review of the returns was: “Apart from the unsatisfactory showing ol Liu principal textile industries, the figures for overseas trade in 1920 s..,guest a fairly general, but hardlywon, improvement.-’’ ’.I here are various ways in which fresh markets might be developed for British product:-, or old marivcts revitalised and undoiiotediy the appointment of trade commissioners to tv. nwi tones that max provide expanded markets will be ol viijiic. It is, however, upon the manufacturer til at the real responsibility lasts. Now Zealand imports of motor cars, chassis and commercial vehicles from Britain increased last year by IS 17). to a total of 4683, and this i.'HVeuso may be attributed -largely t<j the enterin'iso of motor velne.e manufacturers in the Homeland ill studying Dominion requirements ant, juoducing cars of a type and at a price suited to buyers in this country. There appears to be no reason why the same care in catering for the needs ol potential buyers in foreign countries should not lie exercised by British manufacturers with equally satisfactory results. Ncvei'theies, it must be borne in mind that industrial trade is also governed by the price of the articles, and hero as in England, price is governed by the cost <.T-pro-duction. which Owing to the improved labour conditions is liglier than in foreign countries producing similar articles, because the same labour laws and rates of payment are not in vogue. Lost of production is naturally a very great factor in regulating trade development, and tin’s is manifest where there is competition with foreign production.