TRADE WITH BRITAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1946, Page 10

TRADE WITH BRITAIN

NEW ZEALAND RECIPROCITY ESSENTIAL (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 16. The hope that the mutual advantages inherent in Emnire preference arrangements would be maintained until some measure could be found under which world trade could be more equitably conducted, was expressed by Mr. L. T. Jacobsen in his presidential address to the annual meeting of the . United Kingdom Manufacturers’' and New Zealand Representatives’ Association. Mr. Jacobsen said Great Britain was New Zealand’s foremost customer, and to Britain she looked for the sale of her primary produce, which was the backbone of the country. Wholehearted reciprocal trade was essential. Primary producers had to be encouraged to give of their best, in order that sufficient would be available to balance New Zealand’s overseas economy. It was agreed that where sound and economically efficient secondary industries were carried on in New Zealand, they should be encouraged for the purpose of safeguarding supplies in the event of international complications, when overseas supplies could be seriously cut off, and where New Zealand had the responsibility of employing her people. It was believed, however, that local manufacturers were encouraged and safeguarded by customs tariffs and the natural and unnatural costs involved in bringing similar goods over the long journey from Great Britain to New Zealand.

“We have no sympathy with the methods enforced."upon us, .namely, the total prohibition of so many British manufacturers,” he said.