TRADE DECLINING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9608, 30 September 1909, Page 5

TRADE DECLINING.

AUSTRALIAN PREFERENCE TO BRITISH GOODS. NEEDED TO STEM THE TIDE. By United VressAssociution—Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received September 29, 9.25 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 119. The Federal Minister of Trade (Hon. Sir Robert Best, in a memorandum dealing with Australian preference to British goods, says:— "Apart altogether from sentimental considerations of kinship, we consider that every pound sterling divertedg from the Empire's own trade is so much potential energy absolutely wasted. It is with grave misgiving that we find our trade slowly but surely decreasing, and that more and more each year we are dependent upon foreign countries. " f his diversion of employment and the profits of industry cannot be treated with indifference. It is an insidiuus retrogression, endangering the welfare of the Empire and contributing to the wealth and pro- | sperity of its competitors." I

Comparing Australia's importations last year with those of 1880, the Minister claims that Britain's share should have been ten millions more had she retained her due proportion. The only explanation is the keen methods of Britain's rivals, who so far have been treated by her manufacturers as a somewhat negligible quantity. Sir Robert Best quotes figures to show that Australian preference has already to some extent benefited the British manufacturer. He suggests the necessity for a keener interest on the part of the representat.ves of British industries in the methods of foreign competition, and a more familiar acquaintance with Australia's paiticular reqirements and a full expression of opinion on the part of British manufa turers as to the existing preferential tariff. Without mutual interests, mutual trade preference to our own race, ; and success against foreign competition, the Minister says he fears future danger to the power and prosper* ity of the Empire.