TRADE WITH DOMINIONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 January 1929, Page 5

TRADE WITH DOMINIONS.

BRITAIN’S MOUNTING IMPORTS (Australian Press Association—United Service.) LONDON, Jan. 29. The Empire Marketing Board has announced that British imports for many Empire commodities have broken all records in the last two years. Imports of Australian apples, .pears and canned fruit reached a record in 1928. New Zealand cheese, frozen lamb and frozen pork in 1928 increased 40 per cent. ‘ over the record established in 1927. New'Zealand frozen Jamb killed for export in 1928 further advanced 10 per cent.

RECIPROCAL COMMERCE. WARNING NOTE SOUNDED. LONDON, Jan. 29. "Empire trade at present resembles an inverted pyramid and the only way to place it on, a proper foundation is to make Great Britain the main market for the Dominion’s produce,” said Sir Benjamin Morgan at .the Empire Society’s luncheon, when specially referring to fruit, pointing out that the Dominions were faced with competition from the Levant where the standard of living was extremely low. Levant supplied sixty to seventy per cent, of Britain’s requirements. Therefore, he urged, that Britain should assist the Dominions in which there was a higher standard of living. He expressed the opinion that Empire preferences had almost reached the limit and should be replaced by reciprocal commercial agreements. He regretted the South African agreement with Germany was prejudicing. Britain’s position and emphasised that Britain must consolidate her position by agreements with the Dominions before the Dominions entered into foreign agreements.