The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1930. EMPIRE ECONOMIC UNION.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1930. EMPIRE ECONOMIC UNION.

Pkuhaps the outstanding feature of this year, says the London Chamber oh Commerce Journal, from the point of view of the Empire and its development, has been the definitely expressed conviction that the closer welding together of toe Mother Country and the Dominions; and Colonies- in economic co-operation.,in these days of severe world competition and increased tariffs, the chief means whereby industrial progress and commercial prosperity may be secured. The recent action of the United States in/ raising its tariff wall so high/ as to nut lie almost prohibitive the /importation of the majority of gbods-.ftom otnei 1 . countries, Combined with the proposal to form the States of .Europe into flu economic.) unit, makes, it imperative that the statesmen, pf the Empire should give closer attention to a matter which business men of the Empire have been agreed upon for some considerable time, There is no doubt that, if tire various Governments of the Empire were to examine their own fiscal policies with a view to ascertaining in what respects they might be amended in the interests of the trade of other portions of the Empire, with due regard, of course, to the integrity of their own commerce, much further progress in inter-Empire trade would be assured; while in regard to, the promotion of economic unity the recommendation of the Congress of Empire Chambers of Commerce in favour of the appointment of a Commissian to draw up a well considered scheme for effective economic co-operation between the various parts of the Empire, which would pay due regard to the industrial development of its various sections, should he of great value. Within the Empire there is a wealth of raw materials and labour which no other country or combination of States in the world can claim to possess. Eiveri moderately developed, the Empire as a whole could support its entire population at a much higher average standard of living than that prevailing today, and so far as the African Colonies are concerned there is not the slightest doubt that any improvement in the conditions a,rid social life of the vast native population which would follow the application of a scientific and progressive agricultural policy would react to the benefit of British industry, the products of which should be in much greater demand as the African peoples are brought more into touch with Western civilisation. The Empire itself can supply the Mother Country with many commodities which are at present imported on a large scale from foreign sources. There is a wide field open to Empire sugar producers, but much yet remains to be done before the great bulk of sugar imported into this country can be said to be from within the Empire. In this connection it is somewhat regrettable that the over-production throughout the world during the last two or three years has reacted most unfavourably on the sugar industry in the West Indies and Mauritius, and there is no doubt that a general feeling exists among the business community that more might have been done by the Imperial Government than has been done for the relief of the Crown Colonies affected. In the supply of cotton to this country there is an even larger field open to the Empire and the same can bo said in respect of tobacco, although in regard to the latter product it will doubtless take years before the publicity on behalf of Empire tobaccos will enable them at least to equal the imports of the American varieties. However, distinct progress lias been made in the marketing of

Empire cigarette and pipe tobaccos, and if Dominion tobacco growers watch the market carefully and guiiri? against over-production success is assured. The Mother Country already receives wool in large measure from the Dominions; lint, although considerable supplies of meat and dairy produce enter this country from Australia and New Zealand, there still remains a. much larger market capable of development. In wheat and cereals generally, further opportunities await the Dominion farmer, and in Empire fruits the great progress that has been made in recent years bids fair to continue. Empire wines also have before them an almost unlimited field, provided that they can compete with Continental products, which for years have monopolized the market. These remarks are in keeping with the fiscal policy of New Zealand to give preference to Empire goods, and the fact that the late tariff amendments have been distinctly in that direction should assist in the welcome to our Prime'Minister at Home being of a very jcordial character. It will not he possible to achieve a ooinptoto economic union within the Empire in our time, but the definite, move towards that end is a healthy qign and.(will help to meet, the general depression to some extent, by assuring more inter-trading than could otherwise be possible. There is certainly a very definite public opinion growing up round a question or. vel‘y great importance covering the national welfare. 1