COST OF LIVING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1032, 23 January 1911, Page 5

COST OF LIVING.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:ACTIVE,:. WANTS NEW MARKETS. ' • 'The following is tho full text of the letter v -which has been forwarded, under data January 17, to tho Prime Minister ty, the President of the Wellington Chamber of-Commerce (Mr. H. C. on the subject of the increased cost ot living. consequent y upon -the' restrictions placed:on Dominion products by foreign countries:—; ' , "American papers are devoting a | r . ea J iniount of space to the'above subject (iiicriaied cost of. living). Cables m our own .local papers inform us that the same attestion is also attracting a lot of attention on the Continent. This Dominion is a. producer and seller of meats and dairy, . produce. ■' The. present- export .'of the Dominion is almost entirely confined to; Great Britain. American and foreign markets are closed to ns, either by regulations! or by prohibitive import duties. An enlarged market should increase the demand for our products, and also the prices paid to producers. This would materially react advantageously not only in : our primary industries, but would aJSo "assist , your efforts on land settlement,' add to the revenue of railways, and assist local taxation, etc., etc. Our total ■: dependence on one market . only Is,to be deplored. My council's object in addressing you at this/stage is that they. !' hope 'you may bo able, during your projected: visit to England, to give some attention to this important matter. It is suggested that you should endeavour to arrange with the. United States and Continental! nations to admit our meat and dairy'produce either free or, in' any case, at; a lower rate of. import duty than at presont .'exists. If the'time is not at your disposal, is it not possible to author- .. ise some representative to open up and conduct such negotiations, even tnough it! may'be ..necessary. to enter] upon.' • a reciprocal', and preferential tariff? Important as' your niission is, my council ventures to hope that, the importance to the producers and others.in the Dominion . ofv this suggestion is ,of immediate inter- . est. The, opportunity now offering has previously' not teen so strongly ih evi..i.-: Hence.';lf,the position is approached.with youK-custo'mary'tact'and perseverance, my t ■ counoi! feels'that the successful issue of ■'such'.negotiations is "Within'-; measurable ''distance; .: . '