IF ENGLAND FAILS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16, 20 January 1926, Page 14

IF ENGLAND FAILS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The discussion on this subject has developed into a dispute as to the relative qualities of U.S.A. versus British cars, which is beside the question. Purchase of tha former, C.H.N, sajw,. will not push Britain down the hiTl any quicker, but on the principle that every little helps, surely it would. On page 163, "World's Work,'' of August. 1922, B. M. B'aruch writes: "We in U.S.A. criticise others; but we do nothing to help. We also tell Europe that she must pay her debts; yet w e put up a tariff wall to prevent her doing so." This is my argument, British manufacturers cannot compete against this wall yet Britain is paying her debts, but nobody is paying her. Britain exports to U.S.A., but the margin of profit is so thin, that if times were normal, the manufacturers would cut it out. As it is-they employ workers week about. Depreciation and interest have to be met on half output and reduced profits. British goods for New Zealand people is a sound slogan.—l am. etc. NEMO(To the Editor.) Sir, Your timely and thoughtful article made it absolutely clear that if England—the heart of the Empire—is to regain its former commercial status, it must have the full support of the Colonies. In short, if the Empire does not uni;e in looking after its own interests it will inevitably be submerged by the rising •" Rood of foreign competition. Happily there are strong signs that Britain is repenting her free trade folly, and. if the Colonies play their part, a brighter and more prosperous future is surely in store. Meanwhile, it seems to mc that a great deal of the danger of want of support for British goods is from within. Take matches as one instance. Although a great British firm has. I believe, built a large factory at Wellington, the legend "Made in Czecho-Slo-vakia" is to be read on an immense number of the boxes of matches soil in New Zealand. Yet every such box purchased by a Xew Zealander is a pin-prick at British trade. Then, what about the growing number of young New Zealanders who hold commissions for the sale of manufactured goods? In many cases these manufacturers were our bitter enemies in the Great War. and their goods are turned out with the express object of capturing British markets. At the present rate at which these goods are being [lushed in the Dominion, it is safe to predict that the proportion of British goods imported will steadily diminish. All manner of clothing for men and women— say nothing of carpets and a hundred other things—are being offered and sold. The worst of it is that such soft goods bear no indication of their origin, and the retailer is not bound to inform a customer that a hat. a dress, or a pair of stockings are foreign made. So that the unwary- and loyal are often misled jin spite of themselves. It would be a I revelation to many Xew Zealanders if a i list were compiled and published of the I foreign goods now being offered to them. jOf course in many instances there is no I difficulty— in that of the matches— | and any British subject buying foreign j goods does so with her eyes wide open. I j have not attempted to discuss complicated fiscal issues. The whole question : seems to be. Is Britain to come first, or are her own people to help on her det cline? Allow mc to say that I am not in business, and have no axe to grind.—l | am. etc.,. LOOKLK-OX.