BRITISH EMPIRE TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19397, 4 August 1926, Page 8

BRITISH EMPIRE TRADE.

Sir,—ln view of the fact that New Zealand has an adverse trade balance and England has more unemployed than the whole population of this country, why do New Zealanders purchase >'">o per cent, of their imported manufactured goods trom foreign countries, principally from America ? England can supply the goods as cheaply and as good as any other country. The old twaddle that English cars do not suit colonial conditions is playrd out. There are scores of makes to choose from and power galore. They may be a little more expensive, but they last longer and are worth it. I have observed that when the dairy farmers and sheep farmers have any surplus cash they buy cars and nine times out of ten it is an American make, although their butter, wool and meat cheques are derived principally from England, as that country buys over 80 per cent of New Zealand's produce. This money, which should go to England to relieve unemployment increase the purchasing power of the British people, a:nd so put them in a better position to buy more New Zealand produce, goes to America, the most wealthy country in the world, and goes for • keeps."-"' 'lkes America want New Zealand produce ? Oh,; no thanks, that country puts up a strong tariff bar-, rier and keeps it out, There is another article which must have a great sale in this country, namely cream- separators. These are mostly- imported from Sweden. Why not buy British? There are plenty on the market. England has been -the leading manufacturing nation since the days she first invented the steam engine and railway and she has done more toward the progress of mankind than any race this world has ever produced. One thing is certain, if New Zealand cannot sell her produce, she will soon go bankrupt, and if England cannot sell her manufactured articles she cannot buy primary produce and will not be in a position to keep up a Navy sufficiently strong to protect the British Empire. In the interests of the British Empire the Dominions should supply the necessary primary produce and England the manufactured goods, which would mean prosperity to all concerned. True Biuton.