GREAT BRITAIN'S TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13767, 4 June 1908, Page 5

GREAT BRITAIN'S TRADE.

HER COLONIAL CUSTOMERS.

DESIRE FOR TARIFF REFORM.

f BRITISH goods for British people," to put \ briefly, sums up the object of the mission k Mr. Ben. H. Morgan, special commisflner to the Manufacturers' Association of Gbat Britain, who is at present on a- visit tdAuckland. Mr. Morgan, who is stayiniat the Grand Hotel, will remain in this district until Wednesday next, when he willleave for Vancouver, in order to make inquiries in Canada similar to those that lie Ins been making in Australia and New Zeallnd during the-past few weeks.

" 'fho object of my visit," he said, to a Hkr.|ld representative last evening, "is to inquire into tho openings for trade that exist in the colonial markets, the altered conditions of trade brought about by tho new tariffs both in Australia and New Zealand, the opportunities of establishing colonial branch factories in the ca.sc-of goods that are specially affected by these tariffs,, U investigate the operations of the shipp>% ring' controlling the carriage of goods to iho colonies, and, generally, to ascertain the existing conditions of trade and

..'competition. I will also report on tho l/[ effects of your industrial and labour legislation. 1 expect to reach Home in August, ■and m report should be ready in the following month." \lu regard to the state of trade at Home, M?. Morgan said: "There is tremendous competition in manufactures, and it i« increating every day. Manufacturers are now ©okrug more than ever to the development \i their colonial trade as an outlet for tl% goods. This fact is evidenced by my presence amongst you at the present time. We, have heard a. great deal about the lack oVenterprise and adaptability, bad packing, etc,, on the part of British manufacturers, bu\ there is no question about it that there ar» no other manufacturers in the world who£» factories are so well equipped at the present time, or who are so well able to deal with the export business."

The great drawback against which the

British manufacturers,have to contend, said . Mr. Morgan, is of the existence of the shippings ra \ The outstanding feature of tly/y& ill-effL of the operations of the " rin*ug," ho 6»i\ -was the fact that both Ainej/ ?»cani and GWn goods were being carried via BritisLorts to Now Zealand at-*i lower rates tit goods were carried if% the same bottoiif ro m those ports. •TKSe effect of this, absoV e ly nullified the „;..,; preference given by Ne\ Zealand to British goods. He advocau the passing of an anti-rebate measure si&ar to the Elkin Act, now in force in AinLa, as a means of placing shipping freigfe on a better footings He had broughtihe matter before the Prime ulinister (SiiToseph Ward), and he was hopeful that som action would be taken on the lines he hadudieated. "It does not take a magicii to see that we are going to get tariff refoh," said Mr. Morgan, in reply to a quesiih as to the • progress oi the 'new fiscal impaign at Home. "liis a wise policy h the ]mrt of New Zealand to extend piference to Great Britain's goods, for the We is not far distant when v.e. shall have loser commercial relations throughout tin Empire. Public feeling is advancing rapidy in the direction of this rei'om .at Home] In • regard to the consumption of colonik in preference to foreign prodiie, there 3 also a marked growth of popular4 ee "Is this due to the Impe; a i sentiment?" " Yes, to a. large extent jf, J, Xhe confidence in the quality of y.«j r g COf ] s an & the system of inspection pr/ior 0 shipping _~_.,_. have a great deal to-do -with yDI r j ie Imperial spirit ph*fil no small ivt _ jj_ has been made, &' rule in the homes > t j IOUS . . ands of the be.st families in Engla, t]lat where it is necessary to go outside \ the Home products but goods froin,.j Ie British colonies' shall be bought, The i,. ference that j>o\i have given us has had > great deal t° do with the development o. this exceU-t feeling."