N.Z DEMAND

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1931, Page 6

N.Z DEMAND

FOR BRITISH PREFERENCE. AUCKLAND, September 26. “In niy opinion, there is every indication that is. _pyer,.’ said the President of the Assooiateu Chambers of Commerce, Mr H. T. Merritt, in a considered statement today “Although.,, there ...probalily will not be a very rapid return to prosperity the situation-, as it has developed in England in the last few weeks, shows every promise of better markets for New Zealand products.” He said there were two outstanding factors leading to his conclusion. The first was an almost unanimous trend of opinion in Britain in favour of a universal protective tariff. The second was the fact of Britain's suspension of the gold standard. This was itself, tantamont to the imposition of a tariff on foreign imports. One effect was that New Zealand’s produce had risen in value as against Denmark’s for example.” He also pointed out . that foreign buyers would be able to obtain more of our produce for the same, amount of money than be.ore. Mr;.vieiTitt sounded a warning against any tendency to speculate in the expectation of a boom. Such an event was still , a long way ; off. Finally, lie/said “We should now insist, with all the influence we can bring to boar, that Britain grant preferential treatment to New Zealand products.”