THRIVING EMPIRE TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19255, 18 February 1926, Page 9

THRIVING EMPIRE TRADE.

GREAT FUTUKE LOOMING. PRINCE OF WALES' FAITH. STIRRING SPEECH DELIVERED. BRITAIN AND THE DOMINIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 7,5 p.m.) Renter. LONDON. Feb. 16. A banquet was held at the Mansion House in connection with the opening of the British Industrie:; Fair. The Prince of Wales was the principal guest. A most representative company was present, including all the foreign Ambassadors and Charges D'affair and the Dominion High Commissioners. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, president of the Board of Trade, presided. In proposing the toast of the fair, the Prince of Wales said: "The fair has survived the recent trade depression and has definitely proved of value in assisting an exchange of commodities on which the prosperity, not only of Britain, but of the Empire and of the whole world, depends. I am glad to be associated with this dinner, because of late years Their Majesties have not nuissed an opportunity of seeing the show. They watch its progress with keen interest and find each year evidence of improved design, workmanship and finish aiad of advance in the methods of production. "I an: also glad to welcome overseas visitors, because I feel the fair will help them to realise that even if we have suffered from nightmares, we are still able to get on with our job." The Prince said he . trusted the representatives of foreign countries who were present would assure their countrymen that they had not found Britain trembling on 'the brink of ruin, and that any reports to' the effect that British trade was dead had at least been very greatly exaggerated. Demand for British Goods, His Royal Highness referred to the enormous potential demand for British goods in all the Dominions, colonies and foreign countries he had visited. Ho urged every British manufacturer and trader to explore the overseas markets to the utmost and always to bo alert to miss no opportunity of finding new outlets, but- not to forge t the markets within their own borders. He appealed to them to buy British goods first and every time.

The Prince said a new feature of the fair was the participation of the Dominions and colonies. This was evidence of a desire to carry on the great work which was begun at Wembley. Wherever he had been in the Dominions and colonies there was undoubtedly a great and growing demand for British goods. Referring to '.he demand from foreign countries the Princs said: "Time and trade wait for no man, especially as regards new and rapidly-expanding communities. If a trade opportunity is missed it 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 study local demands and conditions.

The Prince expressed especial gratification at the fact that in the industries he had investigated he had noted the work of men who had been disabled in the war. Industry Following Prince's Trail. The chairman said! that trade conditions overseas and at Home were more favourable than they had been for years past. Prices had fallen at Home, but one- thing had not fallen , namely, ; the quality of British goods, British industry was determined to follow the trail of the Prince of Wales. Though he did not under-rate the difficulties he was convinced that the worst of them were ,past. Sir Austen Chamberlain, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, proposing the toast of the guests, emphasised the fact that because Britain had faced her difficulties earlier than spme other nations had done she was emerging from them at a moment when the latter were for the first time feeling the pressure. Britain had weathered a dangerous and critical year, but he was able to say that no British trader hijd broken his word or repudiated a contract. In a brief reference to the Dominion guests Sir Austen sa.icl they were on a different footing to foreign guests. He, at any rate, would never be ready to think the Foreign Office was the proper channel for communication with the Dominions.