BRITISH TRADE

Northern Advocate, 17 February 1926, Page 5

BRITISH TRADE

VIGOROUS AND EXPANSIVE A CHEERING OUTLOOK. OPTIMISTIC SPEECHES. (Received 12.27 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. A banquet in connection with .the British Industries Fair was held at-the Mansion House. There was a most representative company, including all foreign Ambassadors; Charges d’Affaires, and High Commissioners. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, president of the Board of Trade, presided.

THE PRINCE OF WALES. Proposing the toast of “The British Industries Fair,” the Prince of Wales said: “The Fair has survived the recent trade depression, and definitely proved of valpo in assisting the exchange of commodities, on which the prosperity, not only of Britain, but of the whole world, depends. I am glad to be associated with the dinner because of lato years their MJajcsties have not missed the opportunity of seeing the show. They watch its progress with keen interest, and find yearly evidence that Britain is not trembling on the brink of ruin, ind that any reports to the effect that British trade was dead had at least' been very greatly exaggerated.”

The Prince referred to the enormous ■potential demand for British goods in all the Dominions, colonies and foreign countries ho had visited. He urged every manufacturer and trader to explore overseas markets to the utmost, always to be alert and to miss no opportunity of finding new outlets, but not to forget markets within their own borders. He appealed to them to buy British goods first and every time. “I am also glad,” said the Prince, “to welcome overseas visitors, because I feel that the Pair will help them to realise that even if we have suffered nightmares we are still able to get on with the job.” tie trusted that repre sentatives of foreign countries pre sent would assure their countrymen that a new feature of the Fair was the participation o the Dominions and colonics, which was evidence of a desire to carry on the' great work begun at Wembley. Wherever he had been in the dominions and colonies there was undoubtedly a great am growing demand for British goods. Referring to the demand from foreign countries, the Prince said “Time and trade wait for no man, especially as regards new and rapidlj expanding communities of trade. An opportunity missed is gone for ever ! There is no second barrel, and there are very many people shooting.” He urged British manufacturers and, traders to keep their eyes skinned and j study local demands and conditions, and added a. note of special gratifica-' tion in recalling that in many of the industries represented "when the Fair was originally established he, found the work of men disabled in the war. BOARD OF TRADE PRESIDENT.

Sir Philip Cuuliffe-Lister, President of the Board of Trade, declared that both overseas- and home trade condi tions were more favourable than for years past. Prices had fallen at home, bpt one thing" had not fallen namely the quality of British .goods British industry was determined to follow the. Prince of Wales' trail. While not underrating difficulties, he was convinced that the worst difificulties were past. BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY. Sir Austen Chamberlain, British Foreign Minister, proposing the toast of “the guests,’’ emphasised that be cause Britain had faced difficulties earlier than some others, Britain wa emerging therefrom at a moment when the others were first feeling the pressure. Britain had weathered a dangerous and critical year, but was able to say that no British trader had broken his word or repudiated a contract.

In a brief reference to the Dominions, Sir Austen Chamberlain said they ■were on a different footing, from the foreign guests. He at any rate, never did really think that the Foreign Office was the proper channel for communication wjth the Dominions. —A, and N.Z. . -