TRADE AND EMPIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1932, Page 8

TRADE AND EMPIRE

LORD BLEDISLOE’S APPEAL. EACH HIS HUMBLE PART. AUCKLAND, January 14. “ft is essential to the peace and concord of the world that there should be the utmost solidarity and co-opera-tion between all parts of the British Empire,” and his Excellency the Gov-ernor-General, Lord Bledisloe, in his opening address this evening at a.n exhibition of Empire Marketing Boards posters. “Imperialism, although a worthy ideal jf properly interpreted, cannot be advanced by the mere waving of flags or singing of patriotic songs. We must not only think imperially but act imperially, and this in a world where prosperity depends upon success. in industry, can only be effectually carried out if every subject of the King does hjs own part, however humble, in promoting trade within the Empire.

‘‘This he can do on the one hand,” said his Excellency, “by fostering in every way possible the output of the soil of his own country; and on the other by purchasing, so far as His own country cannot provide them, goods raised in other parts of the Empire. Unemployment and taxation would soon he substantially reduced if New Zealanders would always remember that idle factories in Great Britain aiy a source of grievous loss to themselves and that every time they pur-elm.-.e British goods they are providing Briti-di workpeople wjtli the means of purchasing their own native products. This the latter are now only too zealous to do. thanks largely to the enlightenment and patriotic enIcrpriso of the Empire Marketing Board.

j “A policy of Empire preference jn a. i (r eal sense seems li' olv to be adopted j tentatively in Britain and is about to .be discussed at an Empire conference I ,at Ottawa. This may or may not. ’ fructify or become ultimately applie- • able to New Zealand. Bill, apart from ' (iseal policy, there is such a thing as preference which is no! only patriotic hut is vise from an ordinary eoinmon-i-'ousc and business standpoint. l.et us all. undisturbed by outside happenings, but swaying them so far as may i be to the advantage of our own r<enI pie, go on fpiietly doing the business of i.iii' lives, lionet 1 \ and thoroughly.

' talcing advantage of the teachings ol‘ 1 science, hut always bearing in mind j Unit track* with mir own best: mi'-tnm-I ms, coupled with n clear knowledge ' () f tbeir requirements am! mir own wil j linuness to meet. them is lioiind to ibi’nK trade ami proep oit y to oivr- ' selves.”