CONTINUING NEED FOR EMPIRE PREFERENCE IN TRADE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23352, 7 September 1950, Page 8

CONTINUING NEED FOR EMPIRE PREFERENCE IN TRADE

(I'.A.) V/ELI.JXGTON, Sept. 6. A warning that a drastic change in trading policy, such as (he abolition of [inspire preference, might mean the disintegration of the Empire was given by Mr. 13. I>. nor, acting president of Use United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives’ Association, in his presidential address to today's annual meeting of the organisation. “Britain instituted the Ottawa agreement and Empire preference at a time when the whole world was suffering from a depression and from then onwards conditions within the Empire -- and trading generally throughout the world- improved,"'’ said Mr. Roe. “Today, more than ever before. Empire preierenee is vital to the Empire as a whole and to each individual unit. Britain lost most of her overseas market through her war cllort and now finds that she is unable to rehabilitate herself fully as such a large

proportion of the goods she desires to export are locked out by one form or another of import control —and by countries she has done so much to assist. -The United Kingdom manufacturer and Empire primary producer are the backbone of the British Empire and Empire preference, with its interchange of goods, could be called the backbone of their success. The United Kingdom manufacturer lias beer, established for centuries and has traded equitably with the four corners of the earth, but if these overseas markets are not prepared to trade with her now. how is she to maintain her own economy and trade with them? In fact, how is she to live?” Referring to the Torquay conference to begin this month, Mr. Roe said it would' appear that Empire preference would stand or fail by the decisions reached there. “I have already stressed the importance of Empire preference, but how many of us realise that such drastic chanVe in our trading policy as the abolition of this system might mean the .disintegration of our Empire,” added Mr. Roe. He emphasised the need for more unity and co-operation within" the Empire and the desirability of an Empire customs union,