TRADE REVELATIONS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5349, 4 February 1916, Page 5

TRADE REVELATIONS.

HERMANS ALWAYS FAVOURED.

PROTECTION AFTER THE W AR.

Electric Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. London, Last Night.

Right Hon. Walter Runciman (President of the Board-of Trade) has tnued th© report of the Commercial Intelligence Committee of the. Board mi Trade, with Sir Algernon Firth as chairman". The enquiry was largely the result of Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s representations. The committee since July has been investigating trade with a view to providing a basis for the comprehensive treatment of post-war problems, especially concerning the Dominions and Allies. The evidence was particularly directed to paper, cntlery, factory leather, glassware, 1 and earthenware, electrical apf ~-atus, the manufacture of printing stationery, and the jewellery, toy, brush and hardware trades. Striking figures of enemy goods m these classes amounting to £8,173,000 were included in the imports to Britain in 1913, which totalled £15,975.4)00. It is estimated that the five self-governing Dominions and India in 1913 imported £3,000,000 worth of similar Austro-German goods. The Board of Trade Committee, enquiring into possibilities of Empiree trade after the war, recommends Government assistance for scientific research in industry. Although British manufacturers and workmen have not. always appreciated it, scientific investigation or technical training in German technical institutions has given valuable assistance, and the Committee believes the extensive scheme of state aid to industrial research. which the Privy Council Committee recently established, will be of great value if manufacturers cooperate. A large fund will be needed.

The evidence disclosed widespread dissatisfaction over the British rail; ways, while Germany’s State system is advanoeing her export trade. The German Government subsidised firms, enabling them to carry out big eegineering works in the British Dominions. which British firms if similarly assisted would be equally abe to undertake. German potteries received Cornwall and Devon clays at 3s per ton cheapper than that transported to British potteries. Child labour and low wages advantaged Germany. Evidence showed that German workmen worked longer hours and paid greater attention to their work than tlie British. Electrical firms recommended the unification of tire Empire’s patent laws. Tariff protection was the most important question investigated. It wa- generally feared that after the war Britain would be flooded with Austro-German goods at any price, accentuating previous competition and involving disaster to British manufacturers, who had been encour aged to extend their operations with a view to rapturing enemy trade. The Committee recommends that the Trade Commissions, found satis. factorv in the Dominions, should be extended to foreign countries. Tire Consular service ought to he reorganised for increasing commercial util-Austro-German goods imported ought to be marked “made in Germany.” and other foreign goods marked “not British.” A tribunal ought to be pet up to prevent British shipowners and railways giving preference to traders in other countries. Shipping companies ought to be prohibited from the North of Europe. The Oommittte recommends the esablishment of a Min istry of Commerce. Respecting goods, it was of vital importance to the national safety that where manufactures had fallen into hands outside Great Britain tariff protection ought to be afforded to Britishers ready to manufacture the same to enable them to maintain production after the war. A strong desire exists to respond to the feeling?? of the Dominions in favour of Imperial trade preference, also with the Allies. A larger proportion of rwriue ought to be raised from import duties. Sir Albert Spicer signs the report, and adds a reservation pointing out that the industries investigated exclude many of the greatest. He deprecates immediate protection. The war itself will be an authentic protection. and the prejudice against Austro-German goods likely to act as a protection for some years after the war. He hopes the whole question will be consadred after the war in the light of an agreed policy with the Dominions and Allies.