"STRONGER EVERY DAY."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 261, 4 November 1929, Page 9

"STRONGER EVERY DAY."

TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE.

"ENGLAND HOUSE" FOR

COLONIES

BRITISH MERCHANT'S SUGGESTION.

Trade within the British Empire is growing stronger every day in the opinion of Mr. William Lyall Willis, managing director of a large London firm, who is on his eleventh visit to New Zealand. "Throughout the Empire it is improving, and in England it is stronger than ever," he said.

Mr. W. L. Willis

"There have been drastic changes in Canada in its attitude to Empire trade," declared Mr. Willis, "particularly since the United States attempted a tariff war. Canada is now strongly in favour of trade within the Empire, and is very keen for business with New Zealand.

"Trade in South Africa is improving," he continued, "and during the last 12 months has been better than for five years. Conditions are much more stable than they were. It is difficult to say anything about India. India is still in the melting-pot and is likely to be for some time."

Trading with China is much less difficult than was the case a 6hort time ago, according to Mr. Willis. "Along the coast of China, matters seem to have left the melting-pot and to have solidified to a surprising degree," he said. "Up in the country difficulties arc met, but it is possible to do trade with the coastal ports." An England House for each of the Colonies, on the same lines as Australia House and New Zealand House, in London, is a suggestion wliich Mr. Willis intends to place ' before the London Chamber of Commerce, of which he is one of the oldest members. "Such an institution would be a great help to Empire trading," he declared. "As it is, firms wishing to do business with Home concerns have to search for their agents. With euch an establishment as England House, the British Trade Commissioner, with the'agents of British firms, could be easily found, and samples of British goods could be inspected there by intending buyers."