EMPIRE ECONOMIC UNION

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 45, 16 November 1929, Page 11

EMPIRE ECONOMIC UNION

INDUSTRIAL GROUP’S MANIFESTO ' CLOSER CO-OPERATION URGED London, November 14. Announcing the formation of an Empire Economic Union, a representative group of industrialists, including Lord Mclchett, Sir Herbert Austin, Sir Hugo Hirst, Sir B. H. Morgan, Sir Harry Brittain, and Sir Harry M'Gowan, has issued a manifesto urging closer Empire economic co-opera-tion in order to secure the rapid development of the Empire’s agricultural, mineral, and manufacturing resources. The signatories suggest that the nations of the Empire must either combine as an economic unit or accept absorption in other groups, Britain entering the European group and the Dominions entering America’s economic orbit. They urge that if the ideal of a free interchange of Empire products is at present unrealisable. they should get as near as possible to it, modifying whatever is vexatious in fiscal and trading systems. They appeal to the political world for an amnesty for past controversies, leaving the Imperial and Economic Conferences free to do their best for the Empire.

BRITISH CARS FOR WORLD’S MARKETS CAMPAIGN SCHEMES (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, November 14. The British manufacturers’ section of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has appointed a committee to discuss with Mr. J. H. B. Thomas. Minister in Charge of Unemployment, the subject of the export of British cars to the world’s markets. It is stated that the committee has important schemes for its overseas campaign. Branches of the Society of Motor Manufacturers have recently been opened in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and their activities are bearing fruit in a progressive manner. It has been suggested that a motor trade mission might be sent to India and a branch of the society set up there, but it is officially stated that the society does not feel justified in doing this until the tariff position is more clearly defined.

BRITISH ELECTRICAL t INDUSTRY GOOD EXPORT CONTRACTS (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. November 15, 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, November 14. A record export year for the British electrical industry is anticipated by the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association, which, in a survey of recent important contracts states that the electrical manufacturers have bad a period of great activity during the nine months ended September 30. On the engineering side export contracts for that period amounted to £8,000,000, and home contracts to £16,000,000.