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Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1931, Page 4

The question of a preference for trade' within the British Empire is going to receive something of a set hack by the lavish preparations lor the Argentina Exhibition to be opened in March 13 by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales at Buenos Aires. It is being well staged managed by British interests in South America, and the fact that no less a personage than the Prince of Wales has been secured for the official opening, indicates also that influential interests have also been at work. The name of the Exhibition is likewise used to link up the. project with British interests for it is called the “British Empire Trade Exhibition.” It is clear therefore that Great Britain is out for the fullest- trade possibilities in Argentina and contiguous’'countries, and that trade can bo retained only under favoured conditions. The open overtures thus being made to Argentina mean that ideals of preference for trading within the Empire, add particularly in regard to commodities which Argentina can supply in opposition to Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, are fading into the buck ground of political achievement. In regard to this Exhibition which promises to be “great” in every sense of the word, as a means of extolling British manufactured goods, everything points to success, according to the press agents’ matter. Since the announcement of the Prince’s intended visit to Argentina, says one report, there has been a still further increase in the applications for space, and the dimensions of certain of the exhibition buildings have had to he enlarged in consequence. So responsive have British manufacturers and exporters been to this excellent opportunity for increasing British trade in South America, that the total covered space for exhibition purposes is now quite double the area, first decided upon by the British Chamber ot I Commerce in the Argentine Republic, I who are responsible for organizing the | Exhibition. The permanent buildings comprise about 300,000 square feet of spree suitable for indoor display; in addition, there are 20,000 square feet for outside exhibits. Practically every industrv will be represented, and the Exhibition will include a number of collective exhibits, such as plate and j goldsmiths’ work, pott pit, motor-cars, and a display by the National Union ( of Manufacturers. The motor-car exhibit, which is by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, is the largest in the Exhibition, exceeding 20,000 square feet in area, and it will

bo ono of the finest displays of cars ever presented abroad by British manufacturers. From every point ol view the Kxhibition will exceed in size anu importance any other yet held on the South American (ontinent. and the publicity it is receiving is expected to draw between two anil three million people from Argentina and other l.atinAmerican republics, which should result in .substantial, and. it is to be hoped, permanent, business lor British industry. The greater the success of the Kxhibition as an avenue for trade ami business, the more remote will recede the hopes of preference, a face which will play into the hands o! some of tile political parties at Home. Argentina is a. great rival to colonial produce, which is the staple export from this country, so that the event has its reflected interest in New Zealand, and developments in regard to Anglo-Argentine trading will no doubt be watched with close- attention.