INDUSTRY AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
The British Motor Manufacturers, who stand for an industry of great importance and value both to producers and wage-earners at Home, have appealed to Mr. J. H. Thomas for assistance in enlarging their markets and meeting foreign competition. As to the extension of markets, it is possible that "'Mr. Thomas might with advantage have quoted to the delegates certain extracts from Lord D'Abernon's recent report on South American trade, which condemns British exporters for their reluctance to break through established traditions and conventions so as to attract more customers. But as to the request for the continuance of the tariff against foreign cars, the Labour Cabinet has already expressed its dislike of the McKenna duties and all other forms of protection so vigorously that there is little to be gained just now by advocating- an expedient so little likely to find favour in the eyes of the party now in power.
But Mr. Thomas is not to be allowed to discharge his duties by simply striking a negative attitude. Following on this appeal, he was asked in the House of Commons whether, as Minister in charge of Unemployment, he proposes to "develop and encourage the export trade" as a remedy for the depressed condition of the labour market. Mr. Thomas, in his reply, stated, as he has often stated before, that "the only real and permanent remedy for unemployment" lies in the extension of Britain's trade abroad and at home. This answer should help to emphasise the conviction which Mr. Thomas has already expressed that there is no short and easy way to the attainment of his goal, and that the cheap nostrums so enthusiastically advertised by many popular demagogues are in his eyes absolutely ineffective and futile.
But while this view of the Unemployment problem must be approved by all who have considered the matter seriously and dispassionately, Mr. Thomas has given very little definite indication of the course that he means to follow to achieve his purpose. It is difficult to see how a larger share of Britain's home market can be secured for the British producer without imposing some restriction on the foreign imports that compete with him there. And, considering the steady decline in the proportion of British goods sold abroad in recent years, it is not easy to imagine how Britain's standing in foreign markets can be improved unless she can offer some substantial concession to foreigners by way of exchange. But the principles of Free Trade positively forbid Britain to levy duties so as to restrict foreign competition, and they positively prevent her from supplying herself with the most effective means to bargain with her foreign rivals, or, in the last resort, to threaten retaliation upon them. How Mr. Thomas imagines that under such conditions he will be able to enlarge materially the markets for British goods it is not for us to say. But it is most unfortunate thai at this critical juncture the Labour Government should announce officially that it completely repudiates Imperial Preference, thus discouraging the development of British trade in those colonial markets which are already of inestimable value to Britain and which offer her the one encouraging prospect of recovering the ground that she has lost elsewhere.
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Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 6
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541INDUSTRY AND UNEMPLOYMENT. Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 6
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