FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3924, 28 March 1929, Page 3

FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Fox--ton Chamber of Commerce was held in Ross’s rooms on Tuesday evening, presided over by Mr. D. Christie (vice-president). Also present were: Messrs D. R. Barron, R. N. Speirs, J. Martin, F. C. Raikes and the secretary (Mr. R. Horn-blow). Apologies for ialbsence were received froiml Messrs J. K. Hornblow (president), and J. Aitchisoii. SHIPPING. • ■lt was decided to place on record the Chamber’s appreciation of the activities of Messrs J. Linklater, M. E. Perreau, R-. Rangiheuea and F. C. Raikes in an endeavour to keep the port open by obtaining an • other boat for the Foxton sendee. TRADE -WITH AMERICA. Mr. D. Christie submitted copies of two letters written to South Island papers condemning the practice of New Zealanders in purchasing American goods in preference to the British article. Mr. Christie said he was very much opposed to trading with the U.S.A. America was rapidly becoming like what Germany was before the Great War. The States were taking all the money from New Zealand and failed to reciprocate in any way. More money was paid over to the United States for motion picture films by New Zealand than America paid to New Zealand for the whole of her imports from this country, and there were many more articles over which America held monopoly in this country. The sooner New Zealand woke up to this fact the better. It would not |be long before other countries would not have sufficient money to pay America and then the trouble would begin. America would want to confiscate lands and it would be the beginning of war. The United States was bleeding New Zealand to death. The only solution to the difficulty that he could see would be for the Government to place taxes on American goods which would make their sale in New Zealand prohibitive. Mr. Martin said that it seemed to him that there was any amount of oil to be obtained in New Zealand. Mr. Christie considered the trouble with the New Zealand oil wells to-day was that American influence was being brought to bear to keep the wells back.

Mr. Barron said that he was an ardent Imperialist but there appeared to be just as much to growl about in the British Empire as there was with the States. Dairy produce and coal was allowed into Britain from foreign countries which had a very detrimental influence on the Colonial article and helped to keep the British miners in a state of starvation. Britain , gave no preference to her own colonies. Mr. Raikes said that if heavy taxes were imposed on foreign goods it would make it much harder on the consumer. Mr. Barron said that the whole trouble was that Great Britain was too easy going. It was becoming the refuge for all the uhdesirables from' other countries. The Colonies should certainly have preference over other countries. The people of .the colonies could hardly be blamed for purchasing on the cheapest market. Mr. F. C. Raikes considered the articles which had been read to the meeting all “bunkum” and in his •opinion they were written by a fanatic. If American goods were prohibited frofm coming into New Zealand the Country would only be cutting off its nose to spite its face. America was handicapped by a duty. We did not know how this duty was arrived at but no doubt it was carefully worked out. The States took a lot of our dairy produce and did reciprocate in the ■matter of trade. With regard to .Britain allowing dairy produce into the country duty free, this dated hack to the Corn Laws. Food stuffs were not taxed in order to let the workers live as -cheaply as possible so .that England might Ibe able to compete successfully with -outside countries. Mr. Raikes said that he was as loyal as any man, but he did not think that other countries had watered for (the wants of the Colonies like the States had and he could see no reason why they should not be supported within reason. Wjhere it was possible .to procure the English article on the same basis as the Aimeriean then England should receive the support. The -discussion lapsed at this stage. THE COUNCIL ELECTION. An informal discussion took place on the forthcoming municipal election and it was decided to convene a special meeting after the holidays with a view to arranging a ticket for the election.