EMPIRE TRADE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 121, 7 February 1923, Page 7

EMPIRE TRADE

PRINCIPLE OF PREFERENCE

1 A SENTIMENT OF VITAL

IMPORTANCE

' "PARTNERS WITH INSEPARABLE DESTINY” A special advisory committee on Empire trade and development, whose function is to report to tho Chamber of Commerce on any matters submitted to it, or on any questions of importance to Empire commerce, recently cave consideration to matters dealt with in an address, after a world tour, of Mr. J. T. Martin, a past-president, and managing director of Messrs. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. In a report to the chamber yesterday on Air. Martin’s address, the committee stated:— “The committee has given careful consideration to the principles contained in Mr. Martin’s address: it recognises fully the value of such observations from an active business man, fresh from a world’s tour. Tho committee agreed, for the most part, with Mr. Martin’s colitentions, especially when stressing the need for competent trade representatic ns to advise on New Zealand’s commercial interests abroad. The committee feels, however, that the naked advocacy of the principle of trading solely on the lines of securing the best possible advantage, irrespective of whether the most profitable market, for the moment, is British or foreign, is a policy which is unlikely to ho in the best interests of tho Dominion ultimately. “Although Mr. Martin does not ear so in as many words, the tenor of his remarks leads the committee to believe that his contention is opposed or at least is indifferent, to tho principle of preferential treatment extended to Great Britain, or any attempt to foster that sentiment which, in the committee’s opinion, is of such vital importance to the welfare of the Dominion- Tn view of this, tho committee considers that ' the chamber should affirm the principle that it (stands solidly for tho existing most favoured treatment of British trade, not onlv from an Empire viewpoint, but in the direct interests of the wellbeing and safety of our own country. Although Great Britain is unable to directly reciprorate by a preferential tariff, still as Mr. Martin points out, she offers us a free market /the most reliable market in the world.) for all our staple products and efficient transport facilities which would otherwise be bevond the power of New Zealand to secure. “The committee would regret exceedingly if the keen sentiment which has so closely bound this outpost of the Empire to Britain in the past troublous times, should, in any way, be allowed to cool. On trading grounds alone, the existence of this sentiment is of distinct value to this country, though it is imnossible to express its Worth in £s. d. On the ground of defence also, it is absolutely vital, and the committee thinks that this aspect is. in time’ of peace, too often overlooked. or at least, undervalued. “Our chamber shon'd lav it down, clearly and emphatically, that both in trade or national wellbeing, we are partners with the Mother Country—partners with an inseparable destiny. Where lies our money market; our means of defence: our common aspirations : so much lie our host and most' reliable, customer. ’ Whilst tho committee . expresses no opinion against trade with outside markets, it feels that it would bo national folly to exploit these to the detriment of our trade within the Empire. ’Hie expressed possibility of our increasing products flooding the markets of Great Britain, is in the committee’s opinion so remote as not to warrant present concern. The committee would, therefore. welcome a declaration of policy bv the chamber favourin" preferential inter-Imperiel trade relations to the fullest nossihle extent.” The following statement, showing 'the proportion of New Zealand products included in total importations into Grrnt Britain for tho rear ending December, 1921, wijs attached to the report:— Per o-int. Putter °0 Cheese dq.ff Wool 19.fi Mutton and. lamb fifl Frozen be"*' 9.5 Proven rabbits 10 Total meat, excepting game and poultry ... 17.fi Economic Conference. A recommendation, that New Zealand be'adequately represented at the forthcoming Imperial Econmic Conference, was made to the chamber by the Sub-Committee on Empire Trade and Development. “Recent cablegrams,” the reports stated, “indicated that several of tho Dominions, largely owing to the political exigencies of tho moment, anticipate difficulties in being represented. The'most effect representation would be the several Prime Ministers, supported! by leading commercial men chosen by reason of their outstanding abilities in dealing with the economic affairs of the Empire. Should it be impossible for the hend of the Government to attend, that the council Js recommended to urge that New Zealand should be fully and effectively represented by men of wide Imperial outlook.” On tho subject of consolidating the ■trade and spreading the population of tho Empire' and to assist in a. thorough and complete understanding on these vital issues, the committee submitted the . following reso'iffion which it unanimously passed:- —-“That rteps be taken to urge the Prime Minister to suggest to the British Government the desirableness of securing the services of the Right Hon. Lloyd George, or Colonel the Right Hon. L. S. Amery (or some other Empire statesman of similar standing) to' tour the Dominions for the purpose of co-ordinating the British Government’s trade and emigration schemes with the ideas of the several Dominions.” The report was adopted.