Trade With Britain

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 112, 5 February 1935, Page 11

Trade With Britain

Sir,—One cannot help wondering how long the present unsatisfactory state of affairs, regarding our trade with Britain, is to be continued. We sell Britain about £37,000,000 worth of products per annum, apd purchase from her approximately £10,000,000 worth of her manufactures. Getting down to tin tacks, we are one of Britain’s worst customers, the trade balance is so much against her. We borrow money from Britain to develop our country and pay off previous loans; 90 per cent., of our income is received from Britain, and we spend quite 50 per cent, of our income in foreign countries who do practically no trade with us for our primary products. The time has surely arrived when our Government should take a hand in this matter, and prohibit imports from all countries who will not give us reciprocal trade,

At present England is our only worthwhile customer; without her trade we would be impoverished in a very short time, then why not see that England gets the trade she richly deserves? If we did our bit in this way, quotas and other restrictions would soon disappear. John Bull is probably punishing us in his own quiet way, and don’t we deserve it? During the Christmas and New Year holidays I could not help noticing the vast number of American cars on the roads compared with British cars. Yet America taxes our wool and butter out of her markets —the duties are prohibitive.

The Farmers’ Union executive should make close inquiries into the reason for over 50 per cent, of the Lancashire looms being idle, and do their bit by assisting in the right and only way of putting these idle looms into operation again, by buying British goods to-day, to-morrow, and throughout the year. In other words, farmers should refuse to buy goods manufactured by countries who place ' a high tariff against our products. Britain has appealed to the Dominions and colonies for assistance during these dangerous times. Are wo pulling our full weight to help our best customer? If war broke out next week, which involved Great Britain, would we expect full protection in the Pacific by the British Navy? We should remember the anxious times we experienced from 1914 to 1918. If we expect protection from Britain during war time, we should do all in our power, as a Dominion, to warrant that protection, by helping in every way during times of peace to keep Britain strong aud ready to accept any serious challenge to her position as a first-class world Power. —I am, etc., JOHN DULL JUNIOR. Hawke’s Bay, February 1.

Sir, —In your issue to-day their appears a letter by one styling himself “Fair Play.” After quoting certain figures relative to the food supply of Britain, he asks if the Dominions are getting a fair deal. In 1934 the trade between New Zealand and Britain resulted in Britain buying from New Zealand nearly £17,000,000 more than she sold to it, so that this country got a very generous deal. Also, Australia had a very good balance of trade with Britain. The countries at this end of the Empire are too much inclined to selfishness. ; I suggest that your correspondent should get fuller facts before rushing into print, and give our people in Britain the credit which is their due. Why not have a shot at the U.S.A., which once more carried off a surplus’of £2,4ub,090. J am ’ Ct<? " J. E. lIORSFIELD. Blenheim, January 30. Sir, —As a stranger, and one about to leave these shores. I should be much obliged if you would allow me to give vent to a state of affairs that has rather irritated me during my three years stay here. . Does the average farmer give the English manufacturer a fair deal? I have worked on farms in this country and heard the continual growl about low prices on the Home market for produce. How in the name of goodness can high or payable prices be expected when the farmers fly aronnd in American-made cars aud stock their homes up with foreign goods? Of course the farmer has a perfect right to spend his money where he likes, but why growl about low prices.' I am returning to England to work in a factory that employs over_2ooo workers, and before coming to New Zealand there were many posters in the factory buildings asking the workers to buy New Zealand produce, as New Zealand was using the products of our factory. During my stay here I have not seen one product of this factory. What a tale I will have to tell.—l am. etc., r r Whakahu, January 31.