EMPIRE MARKETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19659, 10 June 1927, Page 12

EMPIRE MARKETING.

TRADE COMMtSSIONERS' PART OPPOSITION TO' WITHDRAWAL. Opposition to jany suggestion that British trade comnuissioners should be withdrawn from tho Dominions was expressed at the monijhly luncheon of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Owing to a .recent suggestion in England to merge tjhe department controlling trade commissioners with another branch of the .Home Government, it was feared that trade commissioners would be recalled, although no statement was made to that effect. The president, Mr. A. G, Lunn, said it would be a great (mistake if trade commissioners were withdrawn. Business men realised >-the value of these officials of the British Government, who formed a valuable trade link within the Empire. It was largely due to their knowledge, and the official position they held, that many matters, affecting the Dominions' trade had received such satisfactory consideration. On the motion of Mr. H. W. Hudson, seconded by the Hon. G&eorge 1" owlds, a resolution was passed expressing the opinion that it would b& detrimental both to Great Britain and New Zealand if the office of trade commissioner were abolished. Mr. L. B. Beale, British Trade Commissioner, who was a gtiest of the chamber, thanked members tfor their expression of confidence. Ho said the trade commissioners worked for the welfare of Great Britain and the overseas Dominions. The Empire's hope of future prosperity lay in its ability to distribute its trade throughout its length and breadth. Britain bought foodstuffs of an anmial value of £500,G0Q,000, and two-thirds of that money went to foreign countries. New Zealand was increasing its production of foodstuffs, and every effort should be matle to send more to England and .keep Ijhe money within the Empire. $ "I believe that the British race will be faced with a greater test i;a the coming years than ever before," Mr. Beale concluded. He added that if <ihey were going to maintain the •supremacy of the race attention would have to be paid to trade, and allowance made f}or industrial research.