BRITISH TRADE

Otago Witness, Issue 3754, 23 February 1926, Page 35

BRITISH TRADE

THE STORM WEATHERED. OUTLOOK FULL OF HOPE. LONDON, February 16. In proposing the toast of the British Industries Fair banquet in London, the Prince of Wales said:—“The Fair has survived the recent trade depression, and definitely proved of value in assisting in the exchange of commodities on which the prosperity, not only of Britain, but of the Empire and the whole world, depends. I am glad to be associated with the dinner, because of late years Their Majesties have not missed an opportunity of seeing the show. They watch its progress with keen interest, and find yearly evidence of improved design, workmanship, finish, and advance in the methods of production. I am also glad to welcome the overseas visitors, because I feel that the Fair will help them to realise, even if we have suffered nightmares, we are still able to get on with our job.” He trusted that the representatives of the foreign countries present would assure their co.untrymen that they had not found Britain trembling on the brink of min, and that any reports to the effect that British trade was dead, had, at least, been very greatly exaggerated. The Prince referred to the enormous potential demand for British goods in all the dominions, colonies, and foreign countries he had visited. He urged every manufacturer and trader to explore the overseas markets to the utmost, and always be alert to miss no opportunity of finding new outlets, but not to forget the markets within their own borders. The Prince appealed to them to buy British goods first every, time. He said that a new feature of the Fair was the participation of the dominions and the colonies, which was evidence of a desire to carrv on the great work begun at Wembley. Wherever he had been in the dominions and the colonies there was undoubtedly a great growing demand for British goods. Referring to the demand from foreign countries, the Prince said: “Time and trade wait for no man, especially as regards new and rapidly expanding communities of trade. An opportunity missed is gone for ever. There is no second barrel, and there are very many people shooting. ’’ He urged British manufacturers and traders to keep their eves skinned, and to study local demands and conditions; and added a note of special gratification in recalling that in many of the industries represented when the Fair was originally established he had found the work of men disabled in the war. The banquet wae held in the Mansion House, there being a most representative company, including all the foreign Ambassadors, Charges d’Affairs, and High Commissioners. Sir Philip-Cunliffe-Lister (President of the Board of Trade) who presided, declared that both overseas and Home trade conditions were more favourable than for years past. Prices had fallen at Home, but one thing had not fallen—namely, the quality of British goods. British industry was determined to follow the Prince of Wales’s trail. While not underrating the difficulties, he was convinced that the worst difficulties were past. Sir Austen Chamberlain, in proposing the toast of “The Guests,” emphasieed that, because Britain faced her difficulties earlier than some other countries, Britain was emerging from them at the moment when the latter were firet feeling the pressure. Britain had weathered 4 dangerous and critical year, but he was

able to say . that no British trader brol e his word or repudiated a contract.” In a brief reference to the dominions* Sir Austen Chamberlain said that they were on a different footing from the foe* eign guests. He, at any rate, would never be realy to think that the Foreign Office was the proper channel for communication with the dominions.