NEW ZEALAND AND EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 253, 9 July 1926, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND AND EMPIRE

HIGH COMMISSIONERS PRAISED “TRADE AMONG THE FAMILY” RELATIVES PREFERRED TO OUTSIDERS “ 'Trade among the family’ is our slogan, supplementing and cementing the ties of kinship and language,” said the new High Commissioner for New Zealand, speaking of the Dominion's attitude to the rest of the Empire, at an Empire Producers’ gathering in London. ' Hr Telegraph.—-Press Association. CoPybigHt. London, July 7. Sir James Parr, the new High Commissioner for New Zealand, was the chief guest at the Empire Producers’ luncheon. In proposing the health of Sir James I’arr, the Dominion Secretary (Mr. L. C. M. Amery) paid a tribute to the high standing of New Zealand’s High Commissioners, who had educated Britons into realising New Zealand’s economic position and patriotism. He recalled Sir James Parr as Mayor of Auckland, and welcomed him on his first arrival from New Zealand. Since then New Zealand, like the Empire, had made immense strides. The Empire to-day -was different from w.hat it was thirty years ago; infinitely greater and stronger and more united. Future evolution would make them different thirty years hence. New Zealand’s High Commissioners had assisted greatly in shaping and developing Empire sentiments, he continued. Sir James Allen was returning to New Zealand with the memory of countless friendships and the consciousness, of a great creative work accomplished. Everybody was sorry that Sir James Allen was going, hut thev were readv to extend the same cordiality to Sir James Parr, who, he was confident, woujd carry on the work with the same efficiency and congeniality. New Zealand's Productivity. Sir James Parr, in acknowledging the tribute, pointed out that New Zealand poured out a stream of £60,000,000 worth of exports annually, supplying half Britain’s mutton and lamb. She exported all her butter to Britain, and supplied 15 per cent, of the cheese, in which she beat even Denmark. “It is a remarkable tribute,” he said, “to the productivity of New Zealand, whose exports have expanded 400 per cent, in the past decade. There is likely to be a corresponding increase in the next decade, resulting from hydro-electric developments.” A remarkable testimony to the equal division of New Zealand's wealth was shown, continued Sir James Parr, by 7.35,000 saving® bank accounts, equalling one fei every two persons and averaging £6-’ per head. New Zealand had no millionaires, and men possessing half that amount could be counted on on< hand. Wliile readto trade with foi elgners, New Zealand preferred to trade within the family. New Zealanders as primary producers viewed with Hie gravest anxiety the continuance of the British coal strike, because it reduced Britain’s purchasing power and reacted on the Dominion’s trade with Britain. Millions for Foreign Motor-Cars. It was a tragedy, added Sir James I’arr, to New Zealanders to realise that foreigners supplied the bulk of New Zealand’s motor-cars. All hoped that British manufacturers, in conjunction with New Zealanders, would help to reverse the position He believed that this huge trade rightly . belonged to Britain ’ Whv should millions be poured in the foreigners' lap, when they ought to provide work for British unemployed ? It was because the British manufacturers produced a small-power car, whereas New Zealand’s roads and hills reouired high power Therefore, Britain's taxation of horse-power had a deterrent effect on her exports. It ought to be possible, he concluded, to find a remedy to enable the British to capture New Zealand’s motor trade. British manufacturers had done much in supplying small cars, valued at £2OO. but the calamity was that only a tenth of the demand for cars of this type could be supplied. ■ " 'Trade among the family’ is our slogan,” said Sir James Parr, "supplementing and cementing the ties of kinship and language.” Sir James Allen said that he honed the Merchandise Marks Bill before the House of Commons would be placed on the Statute Book in a form satisfactory to the Dominions. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.