EMPIRE TRADE

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 137, 8 December 1919, Page 7

EMPIRE TRADE

IMPERIAL POLICY WANTED

AMERICANS THE FIERCEST

COMPETITORS

SIR HAMAR- GREENWOOD'S

OPINIONS.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTRIGHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN ■ NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION,)

LONDON, 4th December

Sir Newton Moore, M.P. (formerly Agent-General for Western Australia) gave a luncheon for Sir Hamar Greenwood, Secretary of the Overseas Trade Department of the Home Office, Colonel Amery (Under-Secretary for the Colonies), Sir Thomas Mackenzie (High Commissioner for New Zealand), and the Australian Agents-General were present. Sir Newton Moore congratulated the Government on establishing a Department from which quick decisions could be obtained. This was formerly impossible owing to the overlapping of Departments. America was extremely active in canvassing trade centres where formerly Britain had no rival. He urged that the overseas representatives should be regulraly consulted in regard to trade matters.

Sir Hamar Greenwood, in replying, said that the Americans were our fiercest and most efficient competitors in world trade. While we were fighting for our lives, America was absorbing the wealth of the world, and securing markets which she had never before possessed. But, he said, our sacrifices were worth the cost. The British Empire was the greatest factor in the enemy's defeat. He would do what he could to secure from the Empire the largest portion of trado for the Empire's use. 'Tlie Government could not now offer large subsidies for shipping. It would mean more taxation, but he believed that comparatively small assistance would_ realiso extraordinary results.' If we did not have an Imperial policy there was something wrong with the country. He did not think that America had realised all that she expected in the way of trade since the cessation' of hostilities. He would like to see the Agents-General and the High Commissioners a more corporate body. They could thus assist trade development, because they possessed knowledge which untravelled people did not possess. Ho considered tltat the shipping difficulty would soon disappear. Colonel Amery said that he believed that our position was intrinsically stronger than that of the United States. "If we make the utmost use of our resources," he declared, "we will leave that country standing still, notwithstanding our present handicap. We must supply the Dominions with all the manpower they need, and they must supply all the materials we need." Sir Thomas Mackenzie contrasted the warm reception business men received in America compared with their reception in Britain. He complimented Sir Hamar Greenwood, and hoped that he would soon sweep away the aloofness which had formerly been displayed towards overseas representatives in trade matters.-