PREFERENCE TO BRITAIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 7913, 29 September 1909, Page 2

PREFERENCE TO BRITAIN.

Per Press Association —Copyright. Received September 29, 9.25 a.m, MELBOURNE, September 29.

The Minister of Trade, m a memorandum dealing with Australian preference to British goods, says; -/'Apart altogether from the sentimental considerations of kinship, we consider'that every_ pound sterling diverted 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 on foreign countries.' This diversion of employment and the profits of industry cannot be treated with indifference. It is an insidious retrogression, endangering the welfare of the Empire and contributing to the wealth and prosperity of its competitors." Comparing Australia's importations last year with those of 1880, the Mm- r ister 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. He quotes figures to show that Australian preference has already, to "some extent, benefited -the British manufacturer, and suggests the necessity for a. keener interest on the part of the representatives of British industries m. methods of foreign competition, and «, more familiar acquaintance with Australia's particular requirements and,a full expression* of opinion from the British manufacturers on tlfe existing preferential tariff. Without mutual interests and mutual trade, preference to our own race, and success against foreign competition, he fears there will be a future danger to the power and prosperity of the Empire.'