CONFIDENCE IN GREAT BRITAIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 41

CONFIDENCE IN GREAT BRITAIN.

A NEW ZEALANDER'S IMPRESSIONS. BRITISH INTEGRITY. (Fkom Oub Own Coerespondent.) LONDON, January 8. After a sojourn of four months in Great Britain, during which period he has traversed the manufacturing districts, Mr Oswald M. Smith (Dunedin) 'writes to lhe Times that he has come to the conclusion that tho day is not far distant when tins great Motherland will be supreme in trade. Before he left New Zealand many of the wiseacres were constantly expressing the opinion that many years would elapse before Great Britain could possibly cater satisfactorily for overseas trade. '"The result of my investigations, says Mr Smith, "has proved them, wrong. There is throughout the whole of industrial Britain a kosnness for overseas trade that was not evidenced even six years ago. Principals, on whose judgment rest the destinies of British trade, have demonstrated beyond question their desire to adapt themselves to the idiosyncrasies of oversea markets, and shown a readiness to adopt any sound policy that will ensure their supremacy in those markets. "As far as Now Zealand is concerned (though I do not wish to create any false sense of security here), I am of opinion that British manufacturers are justified in not fearing competition from any quarter. Behind British manufacturers is an integrity and a reputation for quality goods that no competitor can ever rival. We in one of the most distant outposts of Empire really - believe that by, purchasing British goods we get best value; we, certainly know to-day that it is bad business to pay a pound for 16s 4d worth of goods from a foreign country; we realise that each pound spent in a foreign country is tp-day reducing the purchasing power of the next pound we spend there; we know full well that the country first in the war and last out cannot pick up the reins of commerce quick enough to compete for the moment with countries last in the war and first out; withal we know that the bonds of brotherhood created between our kinsmen and your kinsmen in the great struggle for world freedom have assisted materially to disprove the old shibboleth, the pet' phrase of economists, ' there is no patriotism in commerce.' I believe that the heart of Britain is sound, and that in every corner of the civilised world the good name of British manufacturers, the reliability of their products, will defeat all ; opposition, no matter from what quarter it comes. FIRM CONVICTION. . "My judgment is not based upon a "great affection for the Motherland, and biased accordingly, it is the result of careful investigation both here and in the United States, with the' added certainty that the buying public in far-off New Zealand is determined, once it knows Britiin to be ready to supply our market, to give it full measure of patronage and preference over all rivals.- Time will show that the price factor will not- deter the public of New Zealand from having British goods, and the disparity in prices will not for long remain against Great Britain.

" The writer came to Britain with doubts; he leaves it with hope. He returns to New Zealand with a message that will find joyful acceptance in many business circles, will remove many, doubts and unfounded fears, and stimulate with renewed energy the " determinatioft to assist the Motherland's victory in the trade war, signs of which a.re already 'not lacking."