The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1919. DEVELOPING THE EMPIRE'S TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1919. DEVELOPING THE EMPIRE'S TRADE.

There has from time to time been much discussion, verbal and written, concerning the inevitable trade war that must be carried on after the late military struggle, and the question of what is to be accomplished in the direction of extending the trade of the British Empire, and protecting it against foreign domination, is now exercising the minds of those who look ahead. The interests as well as the fate of the producers and industrialists must depend on how these two activities of development and protection are carried out. It would be criminal folly not to recognise that the battle for future trade will be fierce, persistent and probaby subtle. It is characteristic of . the British race to regard competition as merely an incident that is of little account, but we have entered a new era wherein conditions are so greatly changed that we are compelled to adapt ourselves thereto, and this can only be done by skilful generalship, perfected organisation and ft complete system of watch fulness and preparedness, together with the establishment of official trade information bureaux in every country where business may be transacted to the benefit of the Empire and its units. A recent, cable from Washington throws a strong light on the efforts Japan is making to capture the world's markets, as shown by increase in her foreign trade from a value of six hundred and seventy million dollars, in 1913 to thirteen hundred and nineteen million

dollars in 1917. During that period she increased her exports nearly three fold, and though her greatest gain was.from China, her trade with Britain and India, rose from fourteen to fifty million dollars in value, while her exports to Australia increased from four to fourteen million dollars. This conveys some idea of the hurdle which the Empire has to face and the need for making strenuous efforts to regain trade lost during the war and finding fresh markets for our goods. When the present upheaval in Germany has given way to settled conditions there can be no doubt that her producers and industrialists will once again make a determined onslaught on the world's trade. Her organisation is such that we may expect the whole resources of the nation to be utilised in a trade war of great intensity. Asa matter of course America will develop her hustling tactics and be a formidable rival to all other nations. The question of raw materials will play an important part in this trad. 1 battle, for those who can coii' .-1" these essentials to industrial success will be favorably situated as regards their less fortunate rivals. Tn the ease of Japan, cheap labor will p»'ove advantageous, especially in view of the rises in wages and lessened hours of work which the workers in other countries are obtaining. At, one time the low cost of production in Germany gave that country a favorable handicap, but, it is extremely probable under the new conditions prevailing that the German workers will not be content to accept inferior conditions to those in vogue in Britain, but their system of technical training and the utilisation of the most effective machinery and labor-sav-ing devices will be advantageous. Whilst in Auckland last week, on his way back to Australia, Mr. Octavius C. Beale, who has just fulfilled an important mission in Europe, whore he has been advancing the cause of the Associated Chambers of Manufacturers of Australia, was interviewed by a reporter and made statements which deserve serious consideration. During his stay in England he was connected with the British Empire Producers' Organisation, consisting of associations of manufacturers and other producers. The intent of that organisation said Mr. Beale, is to defend, develop and extend the industries of the British Empire, as a whole, against foreign penetration, which would seek to bring them under control, as did Germany before the Avar. Mr. Beale referred at some length to the menace of the American Trusts and combines, pointing out that an Act had passed Congress of the United States enabling and encouraging the very trusts that had been dispersed by anti-trust legislation, to get together and resume their combined activities outside the United States. He also emphasised the fact that .both in Australia and New Zealand the Chicago meat packers had obtained an overmastering control of the products of the flocks and herds of Australia and extended its tentacle? to New Zealand. It is not only the meat trusts that are on the warpath, for there are others equally insidious and destructive. It is therefore, imperative that the manufacturers and producers of New Zealand should get together ami counteract this menace and save themselves from the net spread for their downfall. Before the war Germany controlled the metal industries of Australia, the greater part of the hides and skin from India, the lice from Burma, tlie sugar refineries and the South African mines, through the eirelfe system of.banking. What has been may be. At any rate the trade war is likely to be most acute, and that is why no time should be lost by New Zealand producers in: organising to fight their competitors under the most favorable conditions for ensuring victory.