EMPIRE TRADE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10672, 17 February 1926, Page 5

EMPIRE TRADE.

CARRYING ON THE WORK. APPEAL BY PRINCE OF WALES. NO SECOND OPPORTUNITIES. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) (Renter.) (Received This Day, 10-45 a.m.) LONDON, February 16. Proposing the toast of " The British Industries Fair" at a banquet in London, the Prince of Wales said: "The Fair has survived the recent trade depression, and has definitely proved 1 its value in assisting in the exchange of commodities on which the prosperity, not only of Britain but also of the Empire and of the whole world, depends. lam glad to be associated with the dinner, because of late years their Majesties never missed an opportunity of seeing the show. They watch its progress with keen interest, and find yearly evidence of improved design, workmanship, and finish, and advance in methods of pro-| duction. I am also glad to welcome the overseas visitors, because I feel that the Fail* will help them to realise that even if we have suffered nightmares we are still able to get on with the job." The Prince said lie trusted that representatives of foreign countries present would assure their countrymen that they had not found Britain trembling on the brink of ruin, and that any reports to the effect that British trade was dead had at least been very greatly exaggerated. The Prince referred to the enormous potential .demand for British goods in all Dominions, colonies, and foreign countries he. had visited. He urged every manufacturer and trader to explore overseas markets to the utmost, and always be alert to miss no opportunity of finding new outlets, but not to forget the markets within their own borders. He appealed to them to buy British goods first every time. Hi* Highness said a new feature of the Fair was the participation of dominions and colonies, which was evidence of a desire to carry on the great work begun at Wembley. Wherever he had "been in the dominions and colonies there was undoubtedly a great and growing demand for British goods. Referring to the demand from foreign countries, the. Prince said: " Time and trade wait for no man, especially regarding new and rapidly expanding communities. If a trade opportunity is missed it is gone for ever. There is no second barrel and there are very many people shooting." He urged British manufacturers, and traders to " keep their eyes skinned" and study local demands and conditions. He added a note of especial gratification in recalling many of the industries represented when the Fair was originally established, and that he found the work of men disabled in the war. The banquet, which was. held in the Mansion House, was attended by a most representative company, including all the Foreign Ambassadors, Charges d'Affaires, and High Commissioners. The President of the Board of Trade (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister) presided. The chairman declared that the conditions in both overseas and home trade were more favourable than for years past. Prices had fallen at home, but one thing had not fallen, namely the quality of British goods. British industry was determined to follow the trail blazed by the Prince of Wales. While not underrating the difficulties, he was convinced that the worst difficulty was past. Sir Austen Ch*i.mberlaini (Foreign Minister) proposed the toast of " Our Guests." He emphasised that because Britain faced (difficulties earlier than some other countries, she was emerging from them at a moment when the tatter was first feeling the pressure. Britain had weathered a dangeroue, critical year but was able to say that no British trader broke his word or repudiated Ids contract. In a brief reference to the Dominions Sir Austen said they were on a different footing from the Foreign Guest. He at anyrate would never be ready to think the Foreign Office was the proper channel for communication with the Dominions.