GREAT INFLUENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 207, 2 September 1938, Page 9

GREAT INFLUENCE.

BRITAIN AND U.S.A.

LION'S SHARE OF TRADE.

migrants for dominions.

That there was scope for a tremendous increase in the sale of all foodstuffs exported by the Dominions, if international trade could be re-established on a more favourable basis, was the view expressed by Sir Earle Page, Australian Minister of Commerce, on his arrival at Auckland by the Monterey this morning. The countries of Europe were hopelessly behind Australia and New Zealand in their standard of living, he said. He considered that the finalising of the Anglo-American trade negotiations within the next three months would pave the way for increased international conimeree, an< l that, if the Governments of Europe were prepared to co-operate, other important developments would follow As the British Empire and the United States together had 40 per cent of the worlds trade they had enormous influence, l;e said. To a. considerable extent the recent difficulties were due to the fact that the United States had fallen off as an international buyer and all countries had felt the consequences.

Under-fed Millions. Sir Earle Page said tlig efforts made to increase the consumption of meat in Britain had met with such success over the past two yeans that it was now desired to extend the principle of internationally regulated selling to other products, including fruit, eggs, butter and cheese. Australia and Canada also desired an improvement in the marketing of wheat. He thought the underfed millions in Germany, Italy, France and other countries of Europe should consume greatly increasing quantities of these rtnd other products.

After visiting Denmark and Holland and travelling through the western States of America, Sir Earle Page formed the impression that these countries could supply desirable migrants to

develop the resources of the Dominions. If the necessary capital could be obtained to finance a general expansion in industry, every encouragement should be given to such people to migrate. New Strains Needed. Although the question of migration had been emphasised chiefly from the defence aspect, the economic advantages of absorbing people who possessed the necessary energy and initiative were also very important. Britain had only a limited number of such people who could be spared, and he had therefore been advised to look for other similar national strains. Among those who were being brought out from England, youths and girls were prominent. Last year Australia had partially opened the door for a revival of migration, and, besides modifythe amount of money which new arrivals were required to bring, was assisting in the payment of passages. One-third of the fares was paid by the Australian Government, one-third by the British Government, and the remainder by those who were given assistance. The flow of assisted immigrants appeared to be steadily increasing. *