TO HELP BRITISH TRADE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 211, 30 May 1908, Page 6

TO HELP BRITISH TRADE

MR, B. H. MORGAN AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. t THE SHIPPING RING. /, Mr. Bon. H. Morgan, Secretary of tho Manufacturers' Association of Great Britain, addressed tho members of the Chamber of Commcrco last evening. Ho stated that ho had como to Now Zealand to inquiro concerning openings for trade with Great Britain, and trado conditions under the now tariff. Matters had altered very considerably sinco Mr. Jeffreys, ropresentativo of the Board of Trade, was here a few years ago. Tho British manufacturer had heard a great many" complaints of want of enterprise, want of adaptability, bad packing,, and so forth, from this market, and ho had been asked to investigate these matters. The British manufacturer at the present timo was probably better equipped to deal' with this market than ho had ever been before. Owing to Froo Trade, competition had been very sovcro in the Homo market, and manufacturers were considering with much interest the development of trade with tho colonics. They claimed that there was very little now in the charge of want of enterprise, which might not have been without justification somo years ago. He would bo very pleased to heal* specified instances of want of enterprise, want of .adaptability, or bad packing, on the part of British manufacturers. Ho was here also to investigate tho opportunities for British firms of establishing branch factories inside tho tariff, and he was, moreover, inquiring in regard to tho shipping ■ring, which controlled trade between Great Britain and New Zealand. This last subjcct, was extremely important to tho people of the Dominion, as well as to tho British manufacturer. Ho did not think that tho subject was fully 'appreciated here. Mr. Morgan explained tho deforred rebate system, which kept business in tho hands of tho present shipping lines, diminishing tho chance of competition. One of tho worst effects was that German and American goods were being brought via British ports to New f Zealand at lower rates than those for which British goods were carried from tho same ports. In many lines this had resulted in ; the transfer of trade • to Germany and America. This was held to be a dtind of monopoly that should no longor exist. Ho belioved that business could be placed on a better basis _by the introduction of a measure similar ■to the Elkin Anti"Rebate Act in America, which made it illegal for .'any goods to' ba delivered at an American port to which a rebate condition was attached. If Now Zealand 'passed such an Act, it'would throw open the market and would 'allow of competition being, introduced, if the conditions offered by the shipping companies were not satisfactory. He had discussed tho matter with the Premier, and ho had hopes that legislation- would follow. An Anti-Rebate Act was being discussed by the Commonwealth Government, and tho law officers were trying to put the matter in a practical form. Tho question was a very important one, and ho ■ hoped that the New Zealand Governmont would follow up tho representations which ho had made. SHIPPING COMPANIES DEFENDED. , Mr. G. ShirtclifFo said ho was sure that all the mombers present were entirely sympathetic with Mr. Morgan's object. His remarks with regard to the shipping ring did not 'como as a surprise to tho Chamber, for the question had been before them more than onco. He .thought that while'- they know that the deferred rebate system existed, it was not altogether fair to condemn the shipping companies without first hearing their side of the question. The companies had to consider their shareholders' dividends, and according to their published balancesheets tho-.companies trading between this country and Great Britain had not mado any very exaggerated profits in tho past, while they had certainly catered exceedingly well for tho trado of the Dominion. Ho did not think the companies could be charged with having bled their consignees in the matter of freights. There might bp good roas'oris, from their point of view, for this deforred rebate system.' It might appeal to act somewhat harshly, towards /possible competitors, but as time went on tho volume of tho trado .itself .' would, probablj bring other, companies into , tho running, despito this attempt at prevention. ■ The Dominion owed a very great deal to the entorpriso displayed'.in tho past by the twe great shipping companies that had carried on its oversea 1 commerce with the Old Country. (Applause.) He moved a very hearty voto of thanks to Mr. Morgan and to Mr. J. Houston, who also gddresscd'thoi meeting. Mr. J. M'Lollan, in seconding tho motion, said, in regard to 1 the mission from tho Manufacturers' Association, : that ho thought a great deal more, could bo done by Britisl manufacturers if heads of firms theraselv.es, or at least representatives of separate classes of industry, would pay occasional visits to the colonics. However; capable lit might bo, a single commissioner: sent out t( study all tho industries of a country, coule not take back moro'than fairly general in formation. As regards tho shipping ring without believing • altogether in the deferrec rebate system, ho thought that it had certaii good points. " Give us peace in our time, C Lord!" Tbero had been no cutting in.' T< the merchant at this end it did not matte: much, in a general way, whether he paic 30s. or 40s. if his neighbour was not getting bettor terms. Instead of the. eight or nim vessels engaged in the British trade somi years ago there were now sixty or seventy ii •the business. " There was this evil, however which should be remedied if possible — thi carriage of freights from America or tH< Continent at the same'or less rates than fron Great Britain. This was a manifest irijus tice to us", and as an Imperialist he fel strongly on the matter. 1 The motion of . thanks, was carried unam j mously.