The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1931. ENGLAND V EMPIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1931. ENGLAND V EMPIRE.

In - reading the details of the objections to Empire preference, put forward at Home round and about the period of the Imperial Conference, it would seem that the objectors take their stand against preference from the purely English standpoint. That is, they look to what they believe would be the effect on England alone. They have no vision of Empire, and are in the main, bound hand and foot by the free trade traditions of England. Yet they admit unemployment; they agree that trade is bad; but they are prepared to go on helping foreign trade by leaving their ports open to the world at large. Their strongest point is that England’s export trade goes in the main to foreign countries, but admitting this is so, what price are they paying for this foreign trade? They are neglecting to assist in the development of the Empire, a result ' which would give a stable export trade to their own kith and kin. More, by the development ot the oversea countries, there would be room and healthy occupations awaiting the overflow from England. Canada, South Africa. Australia, New Zealand, and the -other integral parts of the Empire. have plenty of room for developments, and under properly organised schemes of settlement groat strides would result. Tn such, a light as this, Empire preference takes on a aspect. No less a person than the King once suggested to England that it should "Think Imperially,” and if thoughts and actions went m that, direction, a great change could be FrfS, - , A

brought about. It lias been well said that the policies of free trade and protection, are but a means to an end, and not an end in themselves. Free trade has prevailed long enough in England to give it a very full trial, and it should not be difficult to guage the prospects of a further experience. Besides, England has been forced to resort to safeguarding of industries under the McKenna Tariff, protection in such cases being found to he a necessity. A. breach was therefore made in the free trade policy and a-'serious weakness admitted. Jn these days conditions a.:e far more stringent and difficult than they were when the McKenna duties were a necessity. They are still on necessity and arc so maintained. What of exceeding them to help nob only England but also the Empire? The causes of the present economic conditions are manifold, and there arc fredi causes to those' previously prevailing when safeguarding •>f Home industries by tariff became necessary. The origin of the troubles : s deep seated, and no specific remedy 's at hand for ft quick change. But lomething must needs be done. Jhe ulvice given all round the Empire is to seek to restore trade and promote Tenoral prosperity. This can best be lone, w'c are told again, by hard work ind savings. To attain that possibilty, facilities must be provided in the ;vay of remunerative work, and Empire development of trade is the read- : o,st at hand methods for the purpose. More trade is needed all round the Empire. With the increased production for an assessed market for the commodities. the means would he at hand for increased trading. Protection through preference covering Empire goods and commodities would assist nroduction. If this were, applied over an area as wide as the British Empire, the effect would be very far-reaching. There is the need for self preservation as a nation. Any attempt to build up a large trade within the Empire could not be considered an unfriendly act on the part of other countries. On. the contrary. foreign countries orobablv smile at tin* situation which allows England to retain free trade so that foreign commodities may complete an equal terms with those of the English off-spring. Foreigners are reaping a fiscal advantage at the expense of the Empire and England. Actually, England and the Empire at large are neglecting their opportunity for closer inter-trade relations, and instead of being in such an antagonistic attitude one to the other, all interests hut the political fetish of free trade, seem to point to the necessity and great desirability of preference for Empire goods and commodities.