BRITISH MOTORS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 136, 13 June 1927, Page 10

BRITISH MOTORS

DELEGATES' CIVIC WELCOME

ADVERSE TRADE RETtfBNS

The members of the British MotoJ delegation (Sir Alexander Boyd-Carp«i tor, M.P. for Coventry, Mr. Alan }% Fenn, technical adviser, and loeut.-Coli A. Hocking, D.§. 0.) were : accorded a civic reception to-day in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. A numbe* of prominent motor merchants and members of the British Manufacturers' Association were present. The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) es> tended a hearty welcome on ;rbehalf of the city, not only to themselves, but as representatives of the. Old "Country. He spoke of the community of inter, est, and better still of sentiment and spirit, that was more powerful- thaa business interests. They canre, however, as trade ambassadors," a fact that was appreciated. In matters political and civic, in sport and in trade, the Old Country had often co-operated with New Zealand to the benefit of both countries.

The object of their visit was no. doubt to bring New Zealand into closeV touch with the great manufacturers'atHomo and. to ascertain, our requirements. Ui\o that account also their visit was valued, and it was hoped that it would prove mutually satisfactory.. Tha unity of the Empire depended upon, organisation and co-operation. .While England could not pay more fof : our products than they could be'obtained for in England, New Zealand could not pay,, beyond a protective tariff, mora for any British product than it cost on the open market, but he "hoped that their visit might be valuable to both' countries.

Councillor H. D. Bennett Baid he had no doubt that their visitors had looked up their national figures, and they would find reasons to meditate on- the national returns, and might find causa for thought in the trading figures of the country. They would find thst while New Zealand was closely tied to the Old Country in sentiment and blood, the trading figures shovfed that we imported three times as much from the United States as from Britain. That trading was not the national wish, ana they welcomed the delegation in ordsr that they might cater as well for: "NewZealand requirements as did the Unite! States, from which the bulk was'now. being bought. .*'."'"

Sir Archibald Boyd-Carpenter, the leader of the delegation, said '..thai, records of marvellous energy were visible wherever they had been in the.North Island. The great cities grown in such a short time showed the ...infinite possibilities of the country's .'future. It was true they were out U> learn. Closer touch in the various parts of the Empire was essential if the delusion that what was useful in Bond street was suitable on Paikaka—-(laughter)— Hill. Bad times had "been* experienced in both countries, and the extent of mutual trade would determine.'. the speed with which the bad times would pass. ■ * .