CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20793, 12 August 1929, Page 5

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

BRITISH EMPIRE FEDERATION LORD IVEAGH’S REVIEW. . . (From Our Ow.v Correspondent.) LONDON, June 28. At the annual meeting of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, Lord Iveagh (president) referred to the expansion which had taken place in Empire trade aud the development of Imperial communications hy mean of wireless and air services. Kegi ot was expressed that the Government of Africa had promoted a trade treaty with Germany which would place a foreign country within the inner ihe normal expansion during 1928, he said, took the form of a gradual increase that was more satisfactory than spectacular rises, which were usually due to temporary causes. Canada’s total trade with the rest of the Empire, for example, showed an increase of about 8 per cent.; the quantity of wheat received in the United Kingdom from Canada created.a new record; the value of Australian wool exports was up, and import figures for New Zealand reached a new high level; the production of tobacco in the Empire maintained its rise; the import into the United Kingdom of coffee from East Africa created another record; and there were developments in connection with the production of cotton. Exports of United Kingdom produce to Britain overseas exceeded by over £2,000,000 sterling those of 1927. He might appropriately pay a tribute on behalf of the federation to the Empire Marketing Board, which had already accomplished much, and which would doubtless accomplish more. IMPERIAL COMMUNICATIONS.

■The latest development in Empire communication, the fusion of the cable and wireless interests, was as striking an advance as telegraphic communication, and from the standpoint of interImpenal trade was second only in importance to transport. Another gratifying incident was the opening of a regular air service between the Unitol Kingdom and India. The enormous distances between various parts of the Empire _ involved more formidable organisation and a greater outlay of brains and money, but a network of air services over the Empire was not beyond our capacity, and assuredly would be accomplished. In 1924 the federation discussed the need for imparting to the youth of the Empire a sound knowledge of its history and resources, and unanimously adopted, a resolution calling for, the production, of a text-book for use in the schools, through the agency of the Imperial studies Committee, and through ■ the , °t, profess °r A. P, Newton, .of Kings College, London, arid Professor J. Ewing, of the Rhodes University, Grahamstown, such a text-book had now been published. The task now before tli6 federation was to endeavour, by every possible means, to secure its use. in the schools of the Empire, through education authorities of all kinds. SOUTH AFRICA AND GERMANY. There is one incident.” Lord Iveagh continued, “to which I feel compelled to refer, though it actually took place tins year and not during the year to which my observations refer more particularly. I have in mind the South African trade treaty with Germany. It" is a matter of common knowledge that by the terms of that treaty Germany is to be placed on an equality with the Empire as respects any future preference which may be granted, and will benefit equally if and 'when existing preferences to certain Empire countries are extended to others. The federation, as .,}’ ou J lre a Y are ’ was ’ n communication with General Hertzog when the Bill fw ratifying the treaty was before the Union Parliament. Unfortunately, our intervention was-without result. I can. say, without fear of contradiction, that this step on the part of South Africa is deeply regretted in commercial circles throughout the whole of the Empire. To admit a foreign country within the inner circle of preferential tariffs is to strike a blow at the principle of Imperial preference upon which the future economic ° f the Em P ire m ' lst largely