TRADE RESTRICTION.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 199, 22 August 1919, Page 6

TRADE RESTRICTION.

PKEFEBEWCE WITHIN EMPIRE. A SOUND PRINCIPLE. The suggestions connected with the .removal of trade restrictions were referred to by Mr. .las. Boddie, President of the Farmers' Union, at Auckland. "We | will have to comply witih foreign j tariffs." he said, "and if we can find het-It-cr markets than those otTering within I the Hritish Empire, I see no reason why ;\vo should be restricted. If New Zealand ]is to play its part properly and increase 'exports, "we must have the assurance to begin with that free access will be al- ; lowed to all the markets offering. Al- ' though patriotism has played a highly ■ important part during the war. it must .take second place to outstanding qucs-t-iotts in-axing on our productive to.sources. In no other way can we expect to meet our national obligations. i Unless 'the constant interference and restrictions wthich we have submitted to more or less i|tiivtly during the war are entirely removed, serious interference with enterprise will result. At the same time, the principle of differentiating between the British Empire and

countries of the League of Nations is a j perfectly .sound one. The Farmers' | Union litis »dl along endorsed a policy jof preference within ihe Empire. One ( would loudly hope that there will be less ' temptation to trade with countries out \' j side the Empire than in the past. c-peci- | ally as the Hritish manufacturers have, ' [during the war. shown ability to adapt • themselves to new conditions, giving ' , grounds for a belief that they will lie ; ! more ready to adapt their system to | the requirements of the Dominion." | As far as trade with enemy countries : I was concerned, Mr. Uoddic said that he ; considered we would have to consider ' ably modify our views s,, .-nun as snllici- ' ent evidence was offered that such ' countries as Germany liad learned the less,,,, which the wTr had undoubtedly [taught Mie world an,l was prepared to abandon its Impel.■„- dream of wtn-rld doj minion. It wist.. be hoped that the ' democracies of tlie.se count tics would I [become -o r.-tablliheil ,is to make this ambition a. thing of the pawt, and that lite national exchange of social, com ■ mereial and industrial conditions would become an neknon lcdcvd principle. | I Speaking of the development of local induMrie-. .\l,-. R.Jdi,. s ,,j,| lie thought tins should lie tarried on at a greater r.ite tiltan it was at present, but for the present, and for a long time to .-aim- we wou'd lave to look to farming lt s the stable industry ami tit., foundation ..! I

onr national and commercial well-being.