IMPERIAL TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 30, 4 February 1916, Page 6

IMPERIAL TRADE.

HOW TO KEEP OTTT THE ENEMY. TARIFF PROTECTION AND OTHER PROBLEMS. MANY REFORMS NEEDED. LONDON, February .3. The President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Walter Runcimnn, has issued the report of the Commercial Intelligence Committee of the Board of Trade, of which Ut. Algernon Firth was chairman. The inquiry was largely the result of the representations of Sir Thomaa Mackenzie, the New Zealand High Commissioner. T|ie viimmittee since July has been investigating trade with a view to providing a basis for comprehensive treatment of post-war problems, especially concerning the Dominions and the Allies. The evidence was particularly directed to trade in paper, cutlery, factory leather, glassware, china, earthenware, electrical apparatus, printing and jevreltery, and brush and hardware. Striking figures revealed tha; enemy goods in these classes valued at £IS, 173.000 were uecd in the Empire in 1013, including imports to Britain totalling f10.975.000. while it was estimated that the five self-governing Dominions and India imported three million sterling of similar Austro-German goods. INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH. The committee recommends Government assistance in scientific research in industry. Although British manufacappreciated scientific investigation or technical training, the German technical institutions have given valuable assis tane'e. It believes that an extensive scheme of State aid to industrial research, which the Privy Council committee recently established, would be of preat value if the manufacturers cooperate. Large funds will be needed. The evidence discloses widespread dissatisfaction with the British railway system. Germany had adopted a State system of advancing her export trade. The German Government subsidised firms enabling them to carry out big engineering works in the British Dominions, which Bitiish firms, if similarly assisted, would be equally able to undertake.

TAKXFF WAIi NEEDED. German potteries have received Cojm wall and Devon clays at 3/ per ton cheaper than they could be transported to British potteries. Child labour and low -wages have been to the advantage of Germany. Evidence was given tuat the Germans worked longer hoars ami pave greater attention io their work than the British. The committee recommended the uni fication of the Empire's patent laws. Tariff protection was the most important question investigated. It was Igenerally feared that after the war Britain would be flooded with Austro German goods at any price, accentuating the previous competition and involving j disaster to the British manufacturers j who have been encouraged to extend their opcratio»s with a view to capturing enemy twde. PREFERENTIAL RATE EVIL. The committee recommends that the Activities of trade which have been found satisfactory when sent to the Dominions, be extended to foreign countries. The Consular service I ought, to be reorganised, and it*> eommer j cial value increased. | Austro-Gennan roods, when imported. [ oucht to be marked "Made in Germany." and (rather foreign gcods should be marked, "Not British." A tribunal ought to be set up to pre vent British shipowners and railways giving preference to traders in other ] countries. Shipping cnnipaniee ought tr> \ be prohibited from rharping higher rates i from Britain than from pointe ill North j Europe. The committee recommends the estab- I lishment of a Ministry of t'onimerre. , It was of vital importance to the na- j tioual safety, in connection with those j jnaDuf:icture3 which have fallen into! [ the hands of outside countries, that tariff protection be afforded Britishers who were ready to manufacture the same good 3. so that they may be a.t>le to maintain the production after the I TRADE RECIPROCITY. The committee reported that a strong desire existed in Britain to respond to the feeling of the Dominions in favour of Imperial trade preference, and also in favour of trade reciprocity between the Allies. A larger proportion of the revenne ouaht to be derived from import duties. Sir Albert Spiccr, one of those who sign the report, adds a reservation, pointing out that the industries investigated did not include many of the greatest. He deprecates the suggestion ! for immediate protection. The war it- ' self provides automatic protection. The prejudice against Austro-German goods was likely to act aj protection for some years after the war. He hopes that the whole question will be considered after the war in the light of an agreed policy with Britain's Dominions and allies.