EMPIRE TRADE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4646, 9 January 1924, Page 2

EMPIRE TRADE.

MB MASSEY KEEN. . /ft various functions at which has spoken-during his visit to lan<l the Prime Minister, (the Right Hoti. W. F. Massey) has particularlystressed the advantages of Empire trade. ' ' nOe of the most favourable opportunities in this direction was At,.xa luncheon given by the British Bta-< ■ pice. Producers’ Association at the Army and Navy Stores, a large co- ’ operative concern in Victoria Street, London. The association’ which is-an . extremely “live” body, possessing a most capable chairman and secretary, inaugurated an “Empire Week?-at the stores, during which period only British goods were sold. The luncheon heralded in the event. Mr Massey presided and spoke strongly upon the advantages to the Empire of intertrade, urging the people of Britain to prefer foodstuffs from the Dominions and colonies to goods from foreign contries. He said that in 1921 Britain imported from America bacon valued at £l6r*000,000, hams valued at £7;500,000 refined sugar £5,500,000 unmanufactured tobacco £20,000,000, raw cotton - £44,000.000 and millions of pounds worth of machinery. For these commodities the citizens of Britain sent: 1 their cash abroad, and foreign coum J tries spent as little as possible with them. He recalled that the first Imperial Conference the question of Imperial preference was considered, and it had been decided unanimously that it was the best thing possible in the interests of the Empire as a whole. There were representatives of the Liberal party present, and at least one Labour representative, and the -_ motion was carried unanimously. It was also affirmed in a later conference and adopted by the House of Commons. If Imperial preference was right during the war it surely was right now. (Cheers). At this function Mr Massey received musical honours and was described as “The John Bull of Great Britain.’’ It might be added that the pro-- ' duets of New Zealand make a ularly fine showing in the Army an® * Navy Stores. The meat display has- V been attended to by Mr Forsyth, the- 1 New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board J representative, who has brought jthe Dominion’s interests well to the foffcS