FOSTERING EMPIRE TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16169, 4 March 1916, Page 9

FOSTERING EMPIRE TRADE.

MOVEMENT IN WELLINGTON. GOVERNMENT ACTION URGENT [BV TELEGRAPH.—PRESS, ASSOCUrtPK.] Wellington, Friday. As the result of a resolution carried by the exhibitors and executive in connection with the recent patriotic exhibition at the Town Hall, a meeting was held at tho Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Tile object of the gathering was to consider the question of sending a deputation to the Prime Minister to ascertain the policy of the Government as to the future commerce of the Dominion; also, of preparing recommendations to the Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce as to encouraging exhibitions ' of a similar nature, and to chambers of : commerce and industrial associations ' throughout the Dominion urging them to unite in arranging lists of goods of local manufacture which can become available to the public. There was a fair attendance of representatives of mercantile linns. It was decided to organise a deputation to the Prime Minister on the subject. Mr. T. Ballinger said so far as the policy of the Government was concerned he considered that a 50 per cent, tariff would not be sufficient to keep out German goods. There should be absolute prohibition. The adoption of an Empire trademark was mooted, and Mr. C. M. Luke said this matter had already been discussed. Certain difficulties presented themselves, but it was thought a system might be partially applied of marking goods, supplemented with affidavits as to the country of origin.