A GOOD CASE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 596, 29 July 1933, Page 4

A GOOD CASE

The outspoken utterances of the Hon. R. Masters at his recent luncheon engagement in London may be taken as an ontstanding contribution toward the discussions on Empire trade. Mr. Bruce as representative for Australia, somewhat startled the conference by his open declaration of the Commonwealth's intention to oppose export restrictions. His remarks were in the nature of one-way straightout objection to the imposition of any quota regulations against the trade of the Dominions with the Mother Country. But Mr. Masters has gone further. Ke j has not only expressed the defin--i ite opposition of New Zealand to | quota regulations, but has back- j ed up his objections by figures j which show .in a very eloquent j manner, indeed, that Britain has no cause whatever for complaint regarding her balance of trade with this country. He has touched no emotional phases about the "bonds of Empire," but bas demonstrated in a very practical way the fact that New Zealand has lived well up to her obligations as a partner in Empire commerce. His presentation of j the position is worth while recalling. In addressing the assembled business men he said: "When I add that New Zealand, with a population of only 1,500,000, has purchased from Britain more than £30,000,000 worth | more British manufactures in five years than Denmark, £50,000,000 worth more than Russia, £42,000,000 worth more than Japan, £26,000,000 worth more than China, you will realise that the trade position between Britain and the Dominion deserves some recognition." He was able to carry his case even further j in meeting the contention that [ the Dominions should buy more British goods by pointing out that in 1931 we imported £24,000,000 worth of goods, of which £12,000,000 worth was from Britain and £5,000,000 from other Empire countries, while" the total value of our foreign im- 1 ports was only £7,000,000. These j plain figures present a lesson j which, apparently, has not yet ) been learned in Britain. There must be a thorough and harmon- ! ious understanding of all Empire conditions if the best results are to be obtained from our great 1 Commonwealth. There is no need to fear the vapourings of hys- ' terical papers which talk about ' a national crisis only comparable to the American Declaration of ■ Independence, but we must real- j ise the necessity for a fair in-,i terehange of advantages and obligations. It is up to each part of the Empire to do its part and if ; we can give Britain anything in return for a free market we . should be prepared to do so with- 1 out making too niggardly a ! counting of the costs But Britain on her side should not forget the Empire tie in her association with foreign countries. If we are in the family we should come j first in the distribution of trade , benefits. Are the Dominions occupying that premier position with British traders or are we playing second fiddle to foreigners ? A point raised in the House of Commons recently is worth ! remembering. Reference wa,s 1 made to the fact that Ireland ; was paying a bounty of 50/- to 80/- a cwt on butter shipped to England and flooding the market to the disadvantage of Home producers and Dominion exporters. Ireland does not want to be part of the Empire — she has definitely cut adrift — and it seems unfair that loyal overseas Dominions should be penalised to benefit a country that does not appreciate our association. There can be no doubt whatever that there are ramifications of Bri■tish trade which cannot be thoroughly understood or appreciated by communities so far away as our own, but if we can get ' our various viewpoints into proper perspective much may be done to maintain amicable relations. Mr. Masters has helped materially in this direction. EfffrerY- —