TRADE IN EUROPE

Gisborne Times, Volume LX, Issue 9797, 6 May 1924, Page 5

TRADE IN EUROPE

BRITISH COMMONERS’ IMPRESSIONS. LOW WAGES AND UNLIMITED HOURS GET BUSINESS. BRITAIN’S PRESTIGE SUFFERS BY PREFERENCE REPUDIATION. (United Pr*M jUwoeiaUo*— LONDON, May 4. Sir Philip Dawson, and Mr P. J. Hannon, members of the House of Commons, have arrived back home after completing a toiiy of economic enquiry in: Central and Southern Europe. They said they saw everywhere! intensified production." carried out at much lower wages than prevailed in England, and there was practically no limitation of the hours of work. 1

They found, moreover, that Continental workmanship was rapidly approaching the quality of products of Britain.

They saw no hope of resisting an enormous influx of foreign goods, to the detriment of British labor, in the absence of some reasonable protection for British enterprise. Their deepest concern, however, was over the blow which they believed would be struck at the prestige of Britain throughout Europe, in the weakening of Imperial unity, which they contend is bound to follow the Government repudiation of preferences.

Britain is regarded throughout Europe as a great world power, capable of securing Iflie permanent peace and progress of mankind. They point out that this attitude on the part of foreigners is largely due to association with Britain and the great sister nations making up the Empire. Therefore, any change in policy in England, giving the impression abroad 1 that British Imperial relations are being undermined, must assuredly react to the disadvantage of British prestige.—Times.