EMPIRE TRADE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16580, 22 February 1928, Page 9

EMPIRE TRADE

PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT URGED

HOW WOMEN CAN HELP

Tho necessity for .preferential treatment in Empire trade and,a closer cooperation with Great Britain wero urged by Air. F. Alilner, Rector of AVaitaki Boys’ High School, in the course of an address on “Empire Unity Through Empire Shopping,” in Christchurch.

Tho address was given under the auspices of the Canterbury branch of the Empire Industries’ Association, at a public meeting convened for tho piurpose of discussing how effect can best be given to Airs. Amcry’s Christmas message to the women of New Zealand, in which the necessity for trading within tho Empire was advocated.

The Aiayor, the Rev. J. K. Archer, presided over a small attendance, which was practically confined to women. On the platform were Dr. E., G. Lcvingo (president of the Canter-' bury branch, of the Enrpire Industries Association), Air. F. Alilner, Air. W. D. Lambie (Doputy-Trade Commissioner for New Zealand), and Professor J. Alacmillan Brown.

In opening tho meeting, the Mayor said it had been, convened with the object of helping Empire trade by purchasing where possiole goods manufactured within tho Empire.

Air. Alilner, who was greeted with prolonged applause, briefly explained tho object of the meeting, pointing out that in spite of the wealth and prosperity of tho United States, the potentialities of the British Empire were far greater. The Empire Industries’ Association realised this, and so it was conducting its propaganda policy vigorously.

TWO FEATUBES

As the Aiayor had said the meeting had been convened to consider Airs. Amcry’s message to the .women of Now Zealand. It contained two outstanding features. First, it concerned the great problem of Empire settlement — tho transplanting of the congested population of the Old Country. Air. Amery had spoken of the necessity for extending the hand of friendship to migrants from the Homeland, and in this connection lie (Air. Alilner) referred to the boys sent out from tho great public schools in the Old Coun-

try. These young fellows should be made to feel'at home, for they represented an uccessiou of •trained citizenship. The second point was that of trade preference. Mrs. Arnery .had asked the women of the Dominion to do more for the Empire when making their purchases. They should confine themselves to goods manufactured within the Empire. So long as the Empire remained, united, there was no need to fear for the future, for there was a wonderful capacity for commercial development. New Zealand occupied a definite place in the autonomous nations that constituted the Empire, and the Dominion was anxious that there should be no cleavage in the unity of Empire. VOICE OF THE EMPIRE “Since the war there has been an economic stock-taking in 'Great Britain, and a new tariff idea has been ! introduced, ” said Mr. Milner in conclusion. “The economic possibilities of the Empire aro being developed, and unless wo in New Zealand and the other Dominions realise the value of preferential treatment in developing the resources of tho Empire, then Great, Britain will not continue to speak with a powerful voice iu the councils of tho world.” At the request of the Mayor, Mr. Lambic also addressed the meeting on Empire trade. He said conditions in tho Homeland had improved wonderfully. Great, Britain had made a great recovery, and the Imperial Government, through the Empire Marketing Board, was spending £1,000,000 annually stimulating the sale of Empire products. Although New Zealand had shown a preference for British goods there was room for even greater activity in that direction, especially so far as the motor trade was concerned. On the motion of Mrs. Spence Clarke, the following motion was carried unanimously: “That the women attending this meeting undertake during Empire Week, including Empire Day, May 24, to purchase nothing but goods manufactured in the Empire.” A vote of thanks, carried by acclamation, was passed to the speakers. Christchurch Press.