Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, JULY 29th., 1932. BRITAIN’S REPLY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 July 1932, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, JULY 29th., 1932. BRITAIN’S REPLY.

qpipsE overseas dwellers inclined to believe that the Dominions do not get a fair spin from Britain, where trade is concerned, should pay particular attention to the figures quoted by Mr Baldwin, at Ottawa, as published to-day. It is gratifying that the Dominions’ delegates should agree among themselves as to the demands to be made upon the Motherland, but it does not necessarily follow that acceptance will be forthcoming, just because of such unanimity.. The day has gone when the Motherland should be asked to carry undue Empire-burdens, whether trade, or defence, or finance is concerned. There is no likelihood of the British delegates at Ottawa being stampeded by Overseas insistence, into consenting to one-sided agreements. Mr Baldwin’s assurance may be accepted that Britain is eager to place inter-Empire trading on the best possible footing, but not at her own expense. The Dominions to receive more I

must give more. The figures I quoted show that Britain buys more from the Dominions than she sells to them by nearly 100 millions a year, thus if there is any scope for complaint about not supporting Empire trade, the chief offender is not Britain. The fact that the Dominions spent 350 millions on foreign goods and produce is proof that they have been evading the Empire-trading they profess to admire. Those overseas countries, whose delegates are doing their share of the talking at Ottawa, are among the more guilty of trading with foreigners. It is certain that the Homeland people will not passively accept taxation on their food, to benefit Empire farmers, unless the latter reciprocate. The win at the byelection at Wednesbury is claimed by the Free-Trade victoi’ to be due to resentment at the prospect of food costing more. He claims too much, but, doubtless, the Ottawa reports swayed many votes against the Protectionist National Government candidate. Reminders have been given time and again that reciprocity is essential from Overseas lands, if the British market is to be as their preserve. It would be childish to denounce the Motherland for a fault mainly their own. Britain’s path to trade with the Dominions, has for the most part, been made, By them, far from smooth, her only comfort being- that foreigners were sometimes more ■ harshly. dealt with. It is customary to blame British, methods of salesmanship for the preference too often given to foreigners, and although there is some ground for such criticism, it does not provide complete extenuation for the Overseas. It is well that plain speaking is being indulged in at the Ottawa gathering, for in this friendly candour is the best hope of removing anomalies and misunderstandings. None of her Empire partners Should resent Britain’s reply.