EMPIRE TRADE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 6 February 1915, Page 2

EMPIRE TRADE LEAGUE.

TO PROMOTE BRITISH INTERESTS. ENTHUSIASTIC INAUGURATION IN AUCKLAND. Aucldjwd, February 4. An enthusiastic 'UKpring of over a hundred proniincnfflKtizena, presided over by the Mayor, carried a motion constituting an Empire Trade League. The Mayor explained that a number of business people who waited on him sug--1 gested that the time was opportune to organise sentiment for trad« within the Empire. I In a letter of apology for unavoidable absence Mr. Bart Kent, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, strongly supported the objects of the meeting Mr. A. M. Myers, M.P., also expressed • by letter his strong sympathy with the objects of the movemeut. He suggested the establishment of an Empire trade mark, and the need for an Imperial Development Board. One letter showed that there were excellent prospects of a league being 1 formed in Wellington. The Mayor moved:—"That the time is opportune to organise in Auckland, and elsewhere in New Zealand, a move-, ment in favor of trade within the Empire, and that the meeting pledges its hearty support to any such movement." Mr. W. lA. Beddoe, Canadian trade commissioner, seconded (lie motion. It required, he said, the integrity of the Empire to be called into question before necessary action was taken. No true Britisher would give comfort to the enemy by trading with tliem. The German nation commercially was to be admired. He read their "ten commandments," urging the use of German things only. The Germans lived up to those professions, and such an example could with advantage be followed. New Zealand had paid over £2OOO a 'day to Germany, and every eight days the Empire had contributed the equivalent of a Dreadnought to the German Navy, and 39 of them in a year. In the face of sucli facts, how could they continue to tracTe with Germany? Canada gave a preference to every portion of the Empire except Australia, because Australia had not given it to Canada. New Zealand did not give it to or receive it from Australia. -Why was that so.? It was not British, and it was not necessary. He suggested reciprocal preferential tariffs within the Empire, transportation facilities with >i systm of uniform freight rates of a permanent character, and the institution of commercial services designed to bring together exporter and importer. The motion was carried unanimously amidst cheers. It was decided that an association be formed to be styled "an association for the promotion of British trade," membership to be within the discretion of the executive, and to be open to any British traders or manufacturers.