THE Kawhia Settler And RAGLAN ADVERTISER Friday, July 22, 1921 IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume XX, Issue 1071, 22 July 1921, Page 2

THE Kawhia Settler And RAGLAN ADVERTISER Friday, July 22, 1921 IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

Probably at no period in our national history, since the days of Chamberlain-’s Tariff Reform campaign, has the question of the internal trade of the Empire occupied such a dominant position in the thoughts and deliberations of our statesmen. That it will become one of the most important subjects discussed at the Premiers’ Conference, is evidenced by the frequent allusions to the matter already made by representatives of the Dominions now in London, and we may expect some clear-cut decisions as to prospective Imperial policy as a result. T’he Great War demonstrated, riot only the practicability of a self-reliant Empire when its resources were properly organised, but also how readily trade and commerce will drift into foreign channels when that organisation is non-existent or incomplete; and in view of possible future international ruptures, it is patent to all that domestic relations must be

systematised preparatory to such an eventuality, to obviate the dislocation and confusion which characterised the position in 1914. Already the Biritish dependencies have adopted the principle of Imperial preference, as indicated by' our own preferential tariff, but it will be difficult to persuade conservative England after a century of free trade, to institute a reciprocal reform, the popular prejudice against any suggestion of a protective policy being quite abhorrent. The elector and tax-payer of the United Kingdom has yet to learn that British manufactures have ceased to dominate the world’s markets, and that foreign trade, fostered by a protective policy in other countries, has made such deep inroads into what were once regarded as peculiarly British monopolies, as to shake their confidence in the old time regime, and look elsewhere for relief. Again, there is nothing which could so effectively bind the Empire together or promote, in a practical way, the partnership of its units, as the establishment and maintenance of domestic free trade with Imperial preference. There should be no more question of a protective tariff against English goods coming to New Zealand than there would be of those articles crossing the frontiers of Wales and Scotland ; but in return, we have a right to expect reciprocal treatment in respect of our exported produce and raw material. That neutrals and unfriendly nations should have the same access to Home markets as the Dominions which have indicated their practical preference for English manufactures, would manifestly offer a premium to disloyalty, while internal trad’ encouragement would build up the national sentiment and be of mutual benefit.