EMPIRE TRADE

Southland Times, Issue 18964, 11 June 1923, Page 5

EMPIRE TRADE

SIR GEORGE FULLER’S VIEWS NEED FOR IMPERIAL PREFERENCE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). OTTAWA, June 9. (Received June 10, 11.5 p.m.) The Australian Premiers were entertained by the Montreal Board of Trade at dinner. Sir George Fuller, in the course of his speech, raid he went to London to seek the approval of the Imperial Government for his Government’s new immigration scheme, and to preach the gospel of development of trade within the Empire. Sir George also explained the immigration plans and then referred to trade matters. He said that in view of Australia’s large purchases of British goods and preference to Britain, amounting to £8,000,000 annually, Australia in return was not asking for any general preference. “Wo merely ask,” he said, “that instead of buying dried fruits from fore.’gn countries, Britain should give us an opportunity for marketing equally good products grown by British people on Empire soil. No legislation is required for such a purpose, nor coos the proposal conflict with Mr Bonar Law’s pledge that Britain would re fra n for the present from introducing large fiscal reforms. The preference we now receive on canned dried fruits is so small as to be practically useless. Canada is equally interested in this question, and I take it the Dominion will stand with Australia at the next Imperial Conference in demanding an extension by Britain of the reciprocal trade preference.”