MARRING FOREIGN GOODS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8629, 9 July 1924, Page 8

MARRING FOREIGN GOODS

Correspondence has taken place 1 *ctween the British Board of Trade and the Federation of British Industries on tine subject, of introducing legislation for the compulsory marking of goods imported into Great Britain, in oidci to show the country of origin. The Board of Trade states that it is not satisfied that there would be sufficient unanimity in the matter to enable a Bill to pass into law as an agreed measure, and that it does not think that any useful purpose would he served by convening a conference as suggested. The F.8.T.. in reply, refers to the agreed jnoposals submitted to the late (Government by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, and the Federation, which it was hoped. would have been incorporated in a Bill had that Government remained iu power. The federation, consequently, expresses surprise at the Board’s statement and strongly urges the need for the introduction of legislation on the lines which have already boon agreed upon between the principal interests concerned. The proposal is to set up a tribunal, somewhat analogous to the Railway Bates Tribunal, which should he empowered to insist on the proper marking of imported goods in any eases where they considered the public interest would he served. The federation believes that, speaking generally, the British public* prefer British goods to foreign and desire to have the opportunity of distinguishing between the two. It, therefore, feels convinced that the introduction of, legislation of this kind would have very beneficial effects upon production and employment in. this country.