IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1846, 29 June 1918, Page 3

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

I |MR. MASSEY’S SUPPORT,

London, June 27,

Mr W. F. Massey, addressing’ ft meting, of business men, convened Ityi-lhe Imperial Commercial Association, congratulated the association in securing Mr F. M. B. Filler as director. Mr Fisher had done splendid work in New Zealand, and if he returned he would be welcoh'iod with open arras. Ford Inchcape, who presided, presented Mr Massey with an illuminated address in recognition of New Zealand’s loyalty and patriotism. Mr Massey added that he did not think the Imperial taxpayers need provide a shilling on New Zealand’s behalf if the Shipping Controller provided the ships to bring to England the vast supplies awaiting shipment in New Zealand. They had heard a great deal about German influence throughout the Empire before the war, and ho did not want the Germans in the South Fndilic after the war. He hoped that the Germans would never lie allowed to again obtain raw materials usajble for war purposes from British Were we going to revert to the system in force before the war, under which goods from the; Dominions entered Britain on the same terms as those from Germany? Cries of “No!”

Mr, Massey said lie strongly favoured Imperial preference, which would do more than anything to consolidate the Empire. Sir Edward Carson said be .hoped the Government would not attempt to rim business. after the war or the. country pyonld bo doomed. There would be a shortage of raw materials, which Britain, the Dominions and (be United Stales controlled, and until their own businesses were rebuilt Germany should not. bo allowed any raw materials. No ships should be built for any belligerent or neutral until our own shipping was-restored to-the tion it was in before the war.