BRITAIN AND HER COLONIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 314, 13 January 1908, Page 2

BRITAIN AND HER COLONIES.

A BUSINESS-LIKE MOVE. COMMISSION APPOINTED TO VISIT COLONIES. Received 12th, 4.11 p.m. London, January 11. The Manufacturers' Association of Great Britain is despatching Mr Ben. Morgan as a commissioner 10 enquire into the trade position and prospects in Australasia and Canada, especially the extent of the possibilities of the market in relation to the increase of export trade, and to the establishing of branch factories behind the tariffs. He is also to report upon questions relating to competition and shipping. He is likely to try to secure further reduction in the tarilf and increased preference.

Mr. Jaffray visited New Zealand and Australia on a similar mission some time ago. His report has just been published. In August last the Board of Trade issued a report on material supplied by Mr Jeffray. 'Die report declared that statistics revealed substantially the comparative progress of foreign countries as contributors to Australian imports; but the absence of reliable figures concerning the countries of origin to a certain extent made any comparison misleading. There was evidence, however, which suggested that the gain to foreign countries was greater in appearance than reality, and that there was nothing to suggest that Britain's position was seriously menaced in the great staple lines of cotton, iron, and steel goods. The report went on to state, regarding woollens, that the rivalry experienced by British manufacturers had arisen in Australia. Mr Jeffray considered this competition was certain to increase rapidly, and that the same thing might be expected in regard to boots, shoes, hats, and mining machinery, The report concluded with the statement that British traders on the whole had deliberately chosen to restrict themselves to a Bmall number of the great main lines of production, leaving the smaller and cheaper lines largely to foreigners. Freights should be dealt with, with a view to place British and foreign exporters to Australia on a footing of greater equality.