EMPIRE TRADE POLICY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16806, 12 August 1925, Page 7

EMPIRE TRADE POLICY.

(Mi HAT ID HAL O'F CO-OP HR AXIOM

A NATIONAL EFFORT

Lien, Tei, Copyright Uit'lcd I’iesa Assn. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association • HON DON, Aug. .10. t Tlh> Imperial Economic Committee’s first report on the marketing of Empire foodstuffs declares that the time is ripe for a national effort to .stimulate the consumption of Empire prodmi! in the United Kingdom, so far as the State is concerned. The scheme should rest on (1) legal requirements with a view to identification of Empire goods, (2) financial assistance for education and publicity, which the committee regard as mutually essential. The Merchandise Marks Hill, at present before Parliament, should form a convenient basis for further legislation which seems necessary.. The enforcement of the law in respect to the marketing at the time of importation and labelling at the time of retail sale should rest with one- of the existing departments of .State. An executive commission should be formed on (be model of the development and forestry commissions for the purpose, of supervising the expenditure of an annual grant from the Riitidi Parliament, and should be charged with the duty of conducting a movement for trade in Empire produce. The commission should start by allocating about 65 per cent, of the annual giant for promotion of trade in Kmprc produce and about 15 per cent, for research. The remaining 20 cent, should be reserved for certain other schemes, including the promotion of fruit-growing in the tropical portions if the Empire and the carriage of pedigree stock from the United Kingdom to overseas parts of the Empire. . , ■■ To a letter to Mr Mac Kinder, the chairman of the Economic Committee, Mr Baldwin promised the Government’s full and prompt consideration of the report. LONDON, Aug. 11.

The Times says the Imperial Economic Committee’s report affords gratifying and tangible evidence of definite progress towards the great ideal of cooperation between all parts of the Empire. involving a trade policy for the benefit of the whole. It will be incumbent on the Dominions and colonies to see that the Empire origin label becomes a guarantee of quality.

The Daily Mail'says there is no inherent reason why we should import such enormous food' supplies from foreign land(s. The larger the trade within the Empire the more prosperous and safer the Empire becomes.

GOVERNMENT GRANT FOR PUBLICITY.

£2OOO DAILY

(Sydney Sun Cables.) (Received August 12, 10 a.m.) LONDON, August 11

'Mr Baldwin lias sent a letter to Sir H. Mac Kinder, promising the Government’s fullest and most prompt consideration of the Economic Committee’s recommendations. including the spending of two thousand pounds daily on publicity for Britain from a Government grant.

“THE EMPIRE DOLE.”

MANCHESTER GUARDIAN’S COM-

MENT.

Australian <Mid N.% fnhip Ansoc-iailOD

(Received Aug. 12, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 11

The Manchester Guardian, in an editorial headed “The Empire Dole,” asks ,‘.'What’s wrong with the Empire that it is put on the pauper roll? Why' should wp limit the coal subsidy to nine months, yet. give the Empire a subsidy without a, definite limit, indeed with a strong implication that it should go on for ever? Our grievance isn’t the way wherein money is spent, but the Government's decision to make a gift of that size at such a time in aid of an institution which is not in visible distress.”

RESEARCH AND PUBLICITY.

INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN FORE

•SHADOWED

(Reuter s Telegram t (Received August 12, 10 a.m.) LONDON, August 11. Sir H. J. Maoivinder, s explaining the economic report to pressmen, stated the committee had visualised an intensive campaign on behalf of Empire products, similar to the war-time national savings movement, involving an expenditure of two thotftand pounds sterling daily for the first year in carrying out the recommendations of the report as regards research, 'besides publicity. The British consumer should be organised for preference to Empire products. which must be consistent with quality, quantity, and continuity of supply. The committee proposed on the 'one hand marking goods and propaganda, arid on the other hand development of excellence in products by re'search. The recommendations foreshadowed an Imperial profession in which research will be undertaken locally by men belonging to all parts of the Empire, travelling from country to country, from laboratories into practical work, providing an intelligence system in the laboratories of what is going on outside and vice versa. The committee was unanimously opposed to subsidies in compensation for abandoned preferences. Instancing the necessity for development of research. Sir H. J. Mae Kinder mentioned the advantage Argentina had over Australia as regards chilled beef. The committee proposed that a m>ant be made for the carriage of pedigree stock to improve the breeds, in antieination of the demand which would arise when research placed transport on an equality.