BRITAIN AND NEW ZEALAND. TRADE MATTERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 09, 11 January 1908, Page 5

BRITAIN AND NEW ZEALAND. TRADE MATTERS.

By Te!cgrapti.-J?re«> Association.— Cnyyrielrt. LONDON, 10th January. ' Ths Board of Trado's Advisory Coms»il?ioe, basing its conclusions chiefly on, Hhe report submitted by Mr. R. J. Jeffray, itg special commissioner, on the subject of trade with New Zealand, states that it would be a serious mistake to under-estimata the extent of foreign competition in New ' Zealand, or its possible expansion. Although British manufacturers may contemplate the present position with, some Eatisfac-» tion, they cannot afford to relax them vigilance, or be lulled into a feeling of security by a preferential tariff. The United Kingdom might supply a few classes of goods p>t present almost entirely held by foreign traders; but, excepting certain American, French, German, and Belgian specialities, most oth-gr foreign goods tare - cheap lines which British manufacturers have considered unimportant. ,' The committee considers that with, reaeonable vigilance and attention -to the desires and prejudices of consumers British traders »Qould maintain and even improve their position. A Board of Trade report, baaed on Mr. Jeffray's conclusions, stated that fcheye was evidence which suggested that the gain to foreign countries was ' greater in appearance than in ideality, ana th<iro was nothing to suggest that Britain's position was seriously mennced in the great staple lines of cotton, iron, and steel goods. - British traders on tb>» whole had deliberately chosen to restrict themselves to a, small number of the great main lines of productipn, leaving the smaller and cheaper lines laigely- to foreigners. Freights should be dealt with, with a view to placing British and foreign exporters to Australia on a footing of greater equality.