EMPIRE TRADE POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21983, 14 December 1934, Page 13

EMPIRE TRADE POLICY

BRITISH EXPORTS GROWING SATISFACTION AT PROGRESS LONDON. Dec. 12 Sir Henry Page-Croft, M.P., speaking at a luncheon given by the Empire Industries Association, expressed the opinion that* the greatest weapon in the hands of candidates at the next general election would be the wonderful success of the'tariff, and also the Imperial trade policy and the vista of hopefulness it opened. Sir Robert Horne said that British production in J934 had increased 2 per cent compared with that of 1928, while the production of most foreign countries, including the United States, had fallen 25 per cent. "We have not reached the end of the progress achieved since Ottawa," said Sir Robert. "Our exports to the Empire now, for the first time in history, are greater than our exports to foreign countries. The Liberals say the Dominions got the best of the bargain. If this is so, it is not a matter for complaint. The character of our trade to the Empire suits ua better than foreign trade. The sooner we start making arrangements with the Dominions as to the lines upon which each of us is going to develop, the better it Trill be." A survey of Empire resotirces with a. view to complementary production on the most favourable lines should immediately be undertaken. Mr. L. S. Amery, who presided, said Britain had risen from third place" among the world's exporters in 1931 to first in 1934.