The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is, incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1931. THE PASSING OF FREE TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is, incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1931. THE PASSING OF FREE TRADE.

A recent New Zealand visitor to England has returned, and like Macau ley’s national, lias sat in contemplative judgment on the ruin of Great Britain when it departs from Free Trade. This is interesting, because it assumes that there is no doubt about Britain in the near future setting out on a 'tariff era. But when that time arrives, it is suggested Great Britain wall throw off the Imperial mood and live more within and for herself. In other words, the tariff will be protective of Home industries, which fostered, will cause less reliance to be ])laced overseas, and those will be a dwindling interest in the welfare of the far flung possessions whence surplus products, now' make their way to the shores of the United Kingdom. And this mood is to have yet another effect. The lesser interests in oversea trade, will according to the New Zealander, dim the ardour of the Britisli people for a mighty navy. That arm of defence will shrink and shrink throwing more direct responsibilities on the oversea Dominions for their maritime defence. This sounds plausible, but it is not convincing when the obligations of Britain to her scattered dependencies is considered. Their trade in respect to markets alone, cannot be disregarded; nor can the loan obligations be lost sight of. It is true perhaps that the. British money lender received a shock this year, when New South Wales refused to pay interest due to Britain, but preferred in preference to pay interest due to the United -States ! That state- of financial morality in the Mother State of what was considered till lately a Great Commonwealth, would give the British people cause to think, and if tliejr interest and enthusiasm on behalf of their kindred across the sea, cooled somewhat, it- would,not he surprising. But the action of New South Wales was lisohitod, and perpetrated under circumstances which would be plain to the British creditors, and would be weighed at its true worth. It is true that the Dominions have had a val-

uahle market in the United Kingdom. New Zealand has relied mainly on that market for all exports of produce practically. To what extent the tariff will alter that remains to he seen. New Zealand exports mainly raw products and food supplies, and these will not appear very high up in any Home tariff. The raw material will still be required for British manufactures, and the food supplies will he m demand always. Britain will not do anything to add materially to these goods, and for that reason, perhaps, tariff reform at Home will not be of great help to New Zealand. "What would assist would be a preference clause for Empire products over the foreign article, and if this were provided, Great Britain would become a more stable market for New Zealand produce. British agriculture .it is hoped will be revived, but with the teething population in the cities more f'ould b§ doiie abroad in British depondeneihs, and it would be possible to help the Empire through that channel, The ties of kinship, ahd loyalty which bind the Empire are liot likely to be severed lightly. There is now more than at any time previously, a spirit of inter-depondence throughout the Empire, and the occasion is more one for unity than disunity. Rather may we expect the dependencies to come more and more together than to drift apart, and a real .strengthening of the Imperial spirit will come to pass.