BRITISH PREFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19062, 26 July 1927, Page 4

BRITISH PREFERENCE.

POWER BOARD'S DISCUSSION. [THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, July 25. A further attempt to define the extent to which it is prepared to give preference to British goods was made by the Waitemata Power Board this morning. At the last meeting, Mr J. Mackie sought to have it.set down: "That the Board declares a policy in favour of trade within the Empire." Aftf discussion, J. McLeod secured the passing of an amendment: "That this Board is in favour f trade within the Empire," thus leaving the Board free from declaring "a matter of policy." The question arose out of the decision of the Board to purchase some Belgian motors. To-day, Mr H. A. Eobertson moved according to notice: "That this Board accepts as its policy the advertising for its requirements from all sources and will givo preference to British-made articles to the extent of 10 percent, this preference to be givou only when the article is certified by the engineer to be equal in quality and service to the foreign a ' At the request of Mr McLeod, the chairman read part of a letter addressed to the former by the Belgian Consul, pointing out that i cr aiderable export trade was done by New Zcabv 1 with Belgium. In 1926 the exports were valued at £171,000. So far as Belgian manufactures were concerned Great Britain was one of her best customers. The chairman suggested that in cases where there was little difference the .engineer should be asked to decide. It was clear that they were all in favour of giving preference to British goods. The engineer pointed out that in the case of a distinct difference in price the matter- was always brought before the Board. T'e chairman: As far as this Board is concerned the only items that are ', .ely to be concerned are transformers and. motors. O • copper wire.comes f*o Britain. • Mr Kobertson, realising that it was the intention of tho Board to observe the spirit of the resolution, asked permission to withdraw >t. Mr J. Mackie: I am glad that Mr Robertson has withdrawn his resolution because it would be wrong for this Board to be tied down to giving preference to the extent of any specified amount.