The Hawera Star. MONDAY; DECEMBER 1, 1930. DAIRY PRODUCE AND EMPIRE PREFERENCE.

Hawera Star, Volume L, 1 December 1930, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

MONDAY; DECEMBER 1, 1930. DAIRY PRODUCE AND EMPIRE PREFERENCE.

Delivered every evening by 6 o’clock in Hawera. Manaia, Kaup okonni, Otakeho, Oeo, Pihama, Opunake ; Normanby. Okaiawa Eltham, Ngaere, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna. Te Kiri, Mahoe, Lowgarth, Manutahi- Kakaramea. Alton, Hurleyvilie Patea, Whenuakura, Waverley. Mokoia, Whakarnara, Otiangai. Mercinere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

The full text of the London dairy produce importers’ resolution (published on Saturday) contains one important passage not included in the cabled summary published on Friday: that is a recommendation that a petition be presented to the British Government asking it to impose a tax on foreign foodstuffs for the benefit of colonial producers. It may be thought, at. first, glance, that the importers have come! too late in the day with their remedy for the ills that are besetting the prixnarv producers of the Dominions, for their recommendation embraces a principle that was discussed at great length, and without tangible results, at the Imperial Conference. But the Tooley Street merchants know full well that the present; Labour Government has proved adamant on the question of preferences. They know also that an election is drawing near in England, that Empire preference will be an issue at the General Election, and that the Conservative Party has already committed itself to negotiate with the Dominions regarding tariffs when (and if) it is returned to power. By organising a petition now, Tooley Street may not be able to move the present Government to action — though, on the other hand, even a Labour Government which has proved obdurate on the point at an Imperial [conference, may respond to pressure brought from within its own electorates

However that may be, it is certain that a petition signed by British importers will do much to influence public opinion at Home and will also strengthen the hand of Mr Baldwin, who has definitely’pledged himself to a measure of protection. Almost everywhere there is disappointment at the failure of the Imperial Conference to evolve some plan whereby Britain can develop her dominion markets and improve conditions on the British market for the products of the Dominions. In many qiiarters the Conference has been judged a failure. It was a success so far as the preservation of Empire relations went, but then, that was a foregone conclusion. Constitutional questions did not trouble the minds of New Zealand’s delegate, nor Australia’s. Mr Forbes, and Mr Scullin, too, could have spent the day visiting the sights of London when constitut.ional 5 questions were under discussion, and their constituents would have been only amused. But there was a hope in Dominion minds that something calculated to be of benefit to the Old Country and ourselves would come of the economic discussions. In this Dominion we have a growing consciousness of the truth of the maxim that the more money we spend on British products, the more money the British consumer should have to spend on our foodstuffs. We realised, of course, that there were many difficulties in the way. We were conscious of the fact that Britain receives more and bigger orders from thej Old World, where population is dense 1 and the demand heavy, than she does from the Dominions. At the same time we were aware of Britain’s great need for increased overseas business —andj colonials have yet to be convinced that' Britain cannot do more trade with them if. and when, she learns how to go about getting it. We have special reasons in this country for desiring to see Britain prosperous—and not the least arc. those that spring from sentiment. On the practical side, we- know that a great benefit would be conferred upon •he producers of this Dominion were preference granted to our products, ifie British Government’s first concern must be the welfare of the people of I England, and the cry of “dear food” is enough to make any government hesiJtato. Despite that fear, however, Empire preference, in some form, is a proposal that cannot be ignored by any government which takes the long view. The Imperial Conference, despite the failure of the delegates to evolve a working agreement on the subject of preferences, may have brought the Empire, by an indirect route, nearer to the realisation of this ideal than would appear. Tt has, at least, caused the people to think seriously along broader lines than those followed in the days j when the issue was only between freetrade with, and protection against, foreign nations. To-day we have many organisations and many individuals, working in the interests of Empire preference, and it should be extremely gratifying to the New Zealand dairy farmer to find that Toolcy Street, which lie lias regarded with varying feelings during the last decade, has definitely thrown its weight on the side which promises him great benefit. <