The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1916. BRITISH TRADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 70, 27 June 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1916. BRITISH TRADE.

The future' of British trade and how manufacturers have in the past been handicapped by German commerce™ discussed the other day by our High Commissioner, the Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie; who gave a representative of "The British Manufacturer" some enlightening facts arid figures regarding this Dominion. He laid stress upon this country's growing . wealth and especially on the fervour which lias been kindled in favour of greater trade with Britain. He also wisely and truly stated that there never has been a time like the present for. the British manufacturer to increase his; output to the New Zealand markets,) because New Zealandors had formed themselves into leagues for the purpose of preventing the importation and use of German-made articles. Sir Thomas Mackenzie went on to emphasise, (the fact that the war has convinced onr people throughout the Empire of the necessity of being, as far as we possibly can, self-supporting, and of dealing among ourselves more than we have done in the past. The tendency, ho points out, has been to criticise British manufacturers. Probablv there has been a lack of entersprise, owing, perhaps, to a spirit of contentment;.but since the war he had had an opportunity of seeing a remarkable change in that respect, which would' have far-reaching results if we only shape our future trade policy to meet new conditions. British manufacturers are now producing articles in which Germany, in the past, has dealt almost'exclusively in Great Britain and abroad. "This war," said Sir Thomas, "is opening our eyes. "We have seen how Germany has imported, in many instances, raw materials, and sold the manufactured-pro-diicts article at any price they cared to put on it, while we went—T was almost going to say 'cap in hand'—to

purchase the goods made from raw materials which wo supplied, and which indeed, in some cases, we alone could supply. The production of wool is interesting. 1 should think that the British Empire provides more, than three-quarters of the wool of the world. Flocks are not increasing. In Europe they have decreased enormously, while the great trade which has been carried on in frozen meat prevents the flocks in the Argentine, Australia and New Zealand from increas-' ing. On the other hand, the wool-' users of the world are becoming more and more numerous. There is a demand in the East, and the taking o*F of the tariff on wool by America will i doubtless increase its nse in that country. It ought to he possible for the British Empire to hold the mono-

poly in regard to woollen goods, to the* advantage of the manufacturer and worker. Fiscal questions are arising. 1 woidd like to say that in New Zealand, twenty-five years ago, we had a Free Trade and Protection controversy as heated in proportion as it has

j been here, and we have lived to se© { that too much value can bo attached to the theories of controversialists on both sides. I believe that is now be-, ing discovered in this country. To me, nothing is more gratifying than the- way in which men who have differ-, i ed on these questions are now finding) > a commonsonse basis of agreement. J It is recognised "that the war has brought about new conditions in regard to trade which call for new ideas and special legislation. Germany ought not to be allowed to have the 1 freedom which her agents have enjoyed in the British Empire in the past, and which she has so much abused. In New Zealand she will cer-l tainly have no encouragement. Let-, the British manufacturer cater for our, markets, and we shall welcome his i commodities." The newspaper in j which the above quotation appears remarks inter alia: British manufac-! turers will appreciate Sir Thomas Mac- j kenzie's broad view of the commercial situation. He is a keen observer, and ho has bad opportunities of studying problems as they affect international trade. He may be described as an "old hand" in public life, and there is > considerable force in his suggestion that it is possible to attach too much value to theories sometimes advanced in the beat of party controversy. It. is doubtful whether we shall be able to eliminate the subject of trade from party strife; but the war has revealed new conditions winch, as Sir Thomas: Mackenzie says, call for new ideas and special legislation in regard to trade. Mr Bonar Law has emphasised the necessity of agreeing on vrtal principles. In this connection, as Mr Runciman remarked recently, the \ broad view which we must take "in j future must include a consideration of the "insidious and formidable methods of German commercial policy in the past." We admit that Germany has gained by her thoroughness. We also know that she can be thoroughly; dis--honest. '