EMPIRE TRADE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14983, 1 May 1909, Page 6

EMPIRE TRADE.

MR BEN MORGAN AT THE COLONIAL INSTITUTE. IFitos; Oun Cor.RKsroxiiKXT.j LONDON, March 12. Mr Ben H. Morgan lectured before the Royal Colonial Institute this week on a subject which ho has much at heart, and to which he has given a great deal of time and attention—the developments of Empire trade and industry. During the past few years Mr Morgan has investigated and reported on the trade of many markets, including those of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and his conclusions are entitled to respect and consideration.

Mr Morgan puts some pertinent! questions. Why is it that England! buys foodstuffs and raw materials froml the United States, Argentine and RurW sia when they might be produced and obtained) from Canada, Australasia ana South Africa? And why do the colonies buy in continually increasing! quantities manufactured goods from; foreign countries where so many British! factories are idle? These are questions! with which successive Governments in this country have made no attempt tof concern themselves. “No Govern* ment,” said Mr Morgan, “has yefi adopted a policy towards Empire trade? which involved tho fostering of Empire" industries, tho active development of? our various territories, a vigilant fence of trading interests against foreign aggression, against voracioua shipping rings and railway companies* or the operations of trusts and monopolies acting in restraint of trade, alul to the prejudice of purely British inter-* ests. The attitude of the State haul been one of drift, and consequently, a( positive encouragement of foreign couK petition and trade abuses.” ' Colonial people are by this time fa« miliar with tho restraints and abueesj of trade to which Mr Morgan - refers, and there is no need to do more than summarise his conclusions. He finds that the success of foreign colonics is due partly to the iact that Germany and America can undersell EnglandHaving a more staple demand for their goods in their protected home markets* they are able to manufacture in larger quantities at a time than England can do, and the key of success in mn.nufao* Hiring is quantity. Another factor that increases the cost of the British article to the consumer is that of transport. Through lack of State control of tho operations of railway and shipping companies, British goods have to pay, exorbitant rates as compared with those* of competitvo nations. “The power of these groat combinations,” said Mn Morgan, “ is enormous, and it is a matter of astonishment that in respect te both railway and shipping companion our Government departments should continue to place contracts for carrying mails and other goods with such companies, knowing at the same time that these combinations are working in restraint of trade, and without regard to national well-being. Another brake on Empire progress is what Morgan described as tho “ preposterous ” cable rates to Australia and New Zealand. Here again individuals are helpless, and the State neglects its duty. The next bar t« progress is that the English Government neglects to give English manufacturers and'traders information concerning the rapidly changing conditions in colonial markets, and the general opportunities for trade. In India ana the self-governing colonies there are over 1500 paid representatives o, foreign nations to keep their respective Governments posted in these matters < England lias less than ten! And these few have only been appointed in tli® last year or so. Yet England maintains’ 800 salaried consular officers in, foreign countries, to deal with interests of ten far less in 'importance than those which arc neglected in tho colonies. As to Empire industry Mr Morgan; urnxl that it was the imperative duty, of every British Government to encourage tho employment of British capital within the Empire. “ The development of Empire trade and industry,” ho concluded, “ will always bo largely dependent on the enterprise of out manufacturers, traders and capitalists, and the maintenance at Home of satisfactory manufacturing conditions, but modern world factors place a definite trade and industry. When that point is reached the State should step in and assist in dealing with forces that- otherwise might prove dangerous to ouv national progress. Wo must undertake the defence of Empire trade and industry against foreign aggression, in the same manner as wo defend our shores. In my view, until we do this we shall make no real headway against the new forces ranged against us, or towards tho further realisation of tho ideal of this . Institute, namely, United. Empire,”