TRADE AND PREFERENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 11 July 1917, Page 4

TRADE AND PREFERENCE.

REMARKS BY THE PREMIER

Referring to the post-war outlook,., Mr Massey, speaking at Pukekohe, said the prospects for the producers were very good. Indeed, the present tremendous demand for wool, for instance, would continue after the war. On all the fighting fronts at present, probably there were twenty million men, including the armies of the Allies • and the Central Powers. These men were now all in khaki, etc., and when the war was over these men would want to get into other clothing, into.the composition of which wool largely filtered. He did not think there would be famine prices, but producers would pat good returns. He believed the demand foi" meat, butter and cheese would also last after the war.

Mr Massey said he hoped that when the soldiers came back the producers--of the Dominion would be encouraged to produce a great deal more than they ever did before. They must not forget that they were going to have an enormous load of debt, and that money must be found to meet interest. and sinking fund charges. Unless we increased production, we must be prepared to face a time of depression. In order to avoid that we must increase cur output and our exports.

Mr Massey referred to the question of the system of preferential tariffswithin the Empire. For some years: the Dominion had given preference toBritain, but she had not given reciprocal preference. He had no fault to: find with that, as it had taken all ourproduce without charging any duty. It, however, had done the same thing; for Germany and all other enemy and foreign countries, but it would not do> it any more. Britain could not allow the goods of enemy countries to continue to come in on the same terms, as goods from the overseas dominions. In England there was a tremendous? and a growing feeling in favor of tlio new policy. Even in Manchester, the home of Cobdenism. the movement had' obtained a strong hold. The possibilities of another form of" preference were also touched uoon by Mr Massey. It was probable that by the co-operation of all the countries of" the Empire a. vast improvement in the shipping service would hn secured. The British Government might, in connection with the great trade routes to the' different portions of the Empire, subsidise suitable ships with low rates of* freight for the benefit of the producer!at one end and the consumers at the i other. He believed that would be done. ITt was part of the present policy of* the British Government. They rrmst make the best of the great ocean highway at our disposal. They should discriminate in regard to port dues, between British ships and foreign vessels, always remembering, of course., what was due to our Allies.