THE FUTURE OF BRITISH TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3251, 5 July 1916, Page 64

THE FUTURE OF BRITISH TRADE.

The Hon. Sir Thos. Mackenzie, our High Commissioner, has contributed to the British manufacturers some notes on "The Future of British Trade" dealing more especially with that concerning New Zealand. He pointed out that New Zealand's e-ports totalled in value £33,000,000, and the imports £21,000,000. These figures he quoted to show the purchasing power of tho Dominion. He estimated that New Zealand imports from Groat Britain represent £l2 for each man, woman, and child. Thus a family of nine represents £IOB worth of British goods imported into New Zealand. Supposing a family of nine left the Home Country for tho United States, their annual purchaso of British goods would be about 30s. After touching upon New Zealand's preferetial tariff in favour of most British goods, the High Commissioner expresses the opinion that there never was a time like the present for a manufacturer to increase his output to the New Zealand markets. Ho then gives instances of how tho British handicap themselves. Take ckv for pottery obtained in Great Britain: that was delivered at 3s per ton lower in Germany than at the works in the Homo Country. Tho manufactured article came into competition with British goods in neutral markets. The German tjoods were carried at a minimum cost over State railways while the British manufacturers had to pay ordinary rates. On reaching tho seaboard the articles were carried by subsidised steamers at low freight-rates, while the British manufacturer had to pay full rates to the same port. Not only that: it has been possible for German firms to induce slapping companies to convey articles to London and thence to a foreign'port at a less cost than tho British exporter could get them delivered at the same port by the same ship. Our High Commissioner urges that those assoc:atc-d with commerce require a more practical training. "What appears --so singular to me about this country," says Sir Thomas, "is that, although trade has largely made it, the one subject which, in certain circles, appears to be despised or regarded with inchfierenco is trade about which you are not supposed to have or have had the slighest connection. It is something of which many people are supposed tn know nothing, and are not encouraged io know anything, lhat, surely, is an attitude which must change.