LANCASHIRE TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1933, Page 5

LANCASHIRE TRADE

COMPETITION WITH JAPAN.

(United Trehs Association—By Eleetrio

Telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, November 23

In the House of Commons, Mr Lintonthrop, in the Address-in-Reply debate, protested there had been a failure to take vigorous steps to save Lancashire trade against Japanese competitors.

Lieut-Oommander Astbury (C.) said that unless something were done inmediately, there would not be a mill working in Lancashire in five years. Negotiations with Japan were futile. A high tariff should be imposed to compensate for a low standard of living in Japan and for depreciation of the yen. Lieut-Conunander Astbury demonstrated liis point by showing members samples of Japanese cottons and artificial silks sent to Britan, the colonies and dominions, and sold at 75 per cent below Lancashire cost of production.

Mr Runciman, replying, said: “This ■debate will be read in other parts of the world. Let us not give the impression that we are done and finished! We are not. Our ingenuity lias not com,o, to an end either in organising industries, finance or international arrangements. There is not any need to despair about Lancashire’s employment. Its exports in 1933 showed a slight improvement over 1932. The Government and industrial negotiators are acting in unison.”