BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18857, 9 May 1923, Page 3

BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER

THE WORLD TRADE. AN OPTIMISTIC TONE. (Pm United Peese Association.) WELLINGTON, May 8. A welcome was extended to Captain N. Elmslie, the new British Trade Commissioner, by the New Zealand Association of British Manufacturers and Agents. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who was present by invitation, said,' in the course of his speech, that the Government was doing the best it could on the question of Imperial preference and trade with Germany. He stated that figures placed before him in connection with the new preference ganted to Britain in the 1921 tariff showed that considerable good had accrued to British trade as a result of that proference. . , Captain Elmslie, replying, said that every whore he had been offered assistance and co-operation. He had never had doubts of New Zealand’s patriotism, but was amazed at the strength of feeling manifested in the dominion. Ho would heartily co-operate in the advancement of British and Empire trade. A complimentary luncheon was afterwards tendered the commissioner by the New _Zealand British Manufacturers and Agents Association. The toast of “Our Guest was proposed by Mr G. H. Scott (president of the association), who stressed the need for an Empire conference to discuss matters and decide conditions before the resumption of trade with Germany. Captain Elmslie, in an interesting review of the world trade, expressed the opinion that the position, speaking generally, was improving, and that if nothing unforeseen happened in Europe there would be steady progress towards normal trade, and renewed prosperity could be looked for. The toast of “Parliament” was proposed by Mr F. Meadowcroft (vice-president of the association), and responded to by the Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works! Mr Coates pointed out that in addition to increased preference under the new tariff tho Now Zealand Government had decided to give British manufacturers 20 per cent, preference over foreign goods altogether outside the tariff, such as electrioal equipment. Instancing the working of this preference in connection with the purchases for the Mangahao and Waikato schemes, he expressed the hope that local bodies would adopt a similar policy regarding reticulation work. Eulogistic reference was.made by the president and Minister of Customs to the valuable services rendered New Zealand by the Controller of Customs (who is retiring next month), especially in connection with the various New Zealand tariffs and the reciprocity treaty with Australia. The health of Mr W. B. Montgomery was drunk with musical honours.