INFLOW OF CHEAP GOODS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4692, 30 April 1924, Page 1

INFLOW OF CHEAP GOODS

e CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND. ‘The economic conditions in Great Britain are still far from satisfactory. The country is suffering, from an inflow- of cheap goods from other nations, particularly Belgium, Germany, and France. The unemployment dole is still being continued, and is having an unhealthy effect upon the people.” Such were tne views ’expressed by Mr H. W. Berry, a prominent Melbourne business man, who has just returned from a twelve months’ visit to Great Britain and the Continent. Mr Berry, who is governing director of Henry Berry and Co. (Australia), Ltd,, and . Henry Berry and C 0.,. New Zealand, arrived in Wellington last week. . ■ Questioned'as to how he found conditions in England, Mr Berry stated that they were still far from satisfactory. Over £50,000,000 was still being paid out each year in unemplo?ment doles by the British Government, and this was having an unhealthy effect, as many people were not eager to work so long as they could live without doing anything. It was only natural, under the circumstances. that England had a strong desire, to increase employment and exports, Owing to the exchange difficulties, he said, Great Britain was suffering from competition with the cheapet goods of other nations. Some of the English woollen manufacturers, he hu.l oeen told, were .selling goods made up in France. There was no proleci ion against this. With the low rate of exchange these goods were costing English traders very much less than English-made goods. The delay and uncertainty concerning the measure of preference agreed to at the recent Economic Conference were also adversely affecting business in i the Old Country. “The Labour Government at Home,” said Mr Berry, “may ratify some of the preference agreements come to at the Economic Conference. I am of opinion that though preference has not been given as we hoped it would be for the general good of the Empire as a whole, it i,s bound to come.