BRITISH TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8680, 13 March 1914, Page 6

BRITISH TRADE

1913 A RECORD YEAR. B/ Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, March 11. The Prime Minister (Mr, Asquith), speaking at the Associated Chambers of Commerce banquet, said that 1913 was a record year for British trade. There were signs of diminution and some slackness in the British home and overseas trade, but business was being conducted bn broader and sounder lines than at any other period. There was elasticity, and little reason to anticipate a serious depression.

BRITISH EMPLOYMENT. CAPITAL AND LABOUR ORGANISATIONS. (Received March 12, 10.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 12. Mr Asquith paid a tribute to tho work of the Imperial Trade Commissioners. He said that local trade correspondents in British employments reported that British employment during the past three years had reached the highest point, but against the higher wages was a very substantial rise in the price of commodities. It was satisfactory to know that the prices of food in the" first _ quarter of 1914 showed some reduction. Mr Asquith said that the growing strength of Capital and Labour organisations was not disquieting. A phenomenon of a much more disquieting nature was the growing disposition in many quarters when a dispute arose, to rebel against the decisions of organisations which represented the trade involved in such dispute.