SOUNDNESS OF EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 10

SOUNDNESS OF EMPIRE.

PROGRESS IN COMMERCE

TRADE COMMISSIONER'S VIEWS

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Monday.

"I have heard a lot of disparaging remarks about the economic position of Great Britain, but these pessimists and croakers will never see their prophecies come true," declared Mr. L. B. Beale, British trade commissioner, at a dinner tendered to his honour to-night.

"I have been behind the bench and door of the British workshop," Mr. Beale continued, "and ifc was my firm opinion that there is nothing wrong with the British work. We are learning our lesson very rapidly. Otherwise how could we have hoped to maintain our position. As a matter of fact, I believo it is true to say that, taking the broadest possible view, Britain's share in the commercial world to-day is greater than it was before the war. It may not be so spectacular, but trade has changed. Wo may have lost in some of the heavier industries, but new ones havo sprung up that inoro than make up for the losses we have suffered." Mr. Beale added: —"We go about our business in a sound and thorough manner. The world will do the shouting for us. Our economic position was founded not so much on manufacturing industries, as it was on our extraordinary ability to engage in commerce. \Ve were the first commercial nation of the world, and it was that great ability of ours which enabled us to trade in everything we manufactured. Wo had tbo keenest of competition before tho war, and where did we stand? Always on top, and we still stand on top."