TRADE WITH BRITAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1008, 26 June 1930, Page 9

TRADE WITH BRITAIN

INCREASE IN EMPIRE SINCE WAR POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND Press Association HAWERA, "Wednesday. “Compared with pre-war days there has certainly been an increase in the percentage of that part of the trade of the United Kingdom which is with the Empire,” said Mr. L. A. Paish, British Trad© Commissioner for Xew Zealand, when opening the South Taranaki Winter Show* this afternoon. “Whereas in pre-war days we derived 24.87 per cent, of our imports from the Empire, today the comparable figure is 26.12 per cent. Of the exports of United Kingdom in pre-war days, 37.18 per cent, went to the Empire, whereas today 41 per cent. does. There is clearly an increase in the import and export trade of the Old Country with the Empire. Unfortunately, however, there has been a steady decrease in both import and export trade between Britain and the Empire in the last three years.” Referring particularly to Xew Zealand, Mr. Paish continued:—“We in Great Britain take over 99 per cent, of your cheese and lamb, and consume it. "Wo take large quantities of your but-

ter and wool. Over the whole extent of New Zealand’s exports 73 per cent, goes to Great Britain. For the last three j-ears the percentages of your imports which came from Great Britain were 47.93, 47.43 and 46.24. It is in your own interest that this state of affairs should be changed. We cannot buy your products if you do not buy ours. Wo are your only safe market.

“Of tho four largest trading nations with New Zealand, you will find that Great Britain is the only nation with whom you have a favourable trade balance, and that it is the one country which does not place a tariff on your products. Surely youA in your own interest, should buy British when it is at all practicable.”