BRITISH BID FOR TRADE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 82, 16 March 1931, Page 6

BRITISH BID FOR TRADE

ORDERS FROM ARGENTINE BUENOS AIRES EXHIBITION PRINCE OF WALES’ SPEECH MUTUAL BENEFIT STRESSED BUENOS A IKES March 14. The Union Jack llew to-day iu Paiermo Bark from the fastest craft on earth, sea and sky, in an exposition here designed to bring Britain hack to pre-eminence in Argentina io reign trade. The British 'plane .vliich won the ID.'iO Schneider Gup race, the speedboat in whveh Sir Henry Segravo died after setting the world’s record and the motor car Golden Arrow, in which he broke the world’s record, are mounted in the exhibition halls. The Prince of Wales Hung wide the doors of the exposition to-day. Bo came by aeroplane from Alai Bel Plata. The British-made goods in the groat trade show are ranged from the largest locomotive in South America to jewels of raindrop size. Canada shows "0,000 dollars' worth of pictures of Canadian scones. Speech by the Prince. Ju formally opening the British Empire Trade Exhibition, the Prince ol Wales, after referring lo the pleasure it gave him to inaugurate personally the exhibition, which duty was the objective of the journey to South America of himself and his brothci, said: ‘‘l have no doubt that with the help of modern inventions and science 1 ,could have performed the ceremony without leaving London, but that would have been inadequate to express my sense of appreciation at the exceptional importance of this exhibition to the future of British trade with The Argentine Republic, and the debt ol gratitude the British nation owes the Argentine Government, people and press for the assistance and welcome extended it in the creation of the exhibition.

“It is the first occasion on which British traders from the United Kingdom and the Empire, particularly the Dominion of Canada, have combined to exhibit their products in tbis manner, and on this national s’calc is the woik of the British Chamber of Commerce of Buenos Aires. The Chamber would have boon unable to organise it if it had not been offered the generous cooperation of the Argentine Rural Society, who have placed the spacious grounds and buildings at the disposal of the Chamber —a contribution of great material value, but representing something even greater, namely the moral signilican.se of the goodwill of the Argentine people toward the products of British industry. A British Response.

“This exhibition is a British response at a time when the tide of prosperity has receded and the activities ol trade everywhere have slackened. r i he participation of British manufacturers lias exceeded all estimates and expectations formulated in belter limes, ano this is indicative of the spirit of enterprise of the British industries and the confidence they feel, not only in Hie early recovery of prosperity in the Argentine Republic, but also m their own ability to maintain and extend their trade relationships with it. the Argentina will -see represented here hero every British industry which can aid her development, and the assembly of products are chosen with special regard to the particular needs of this country. In the various transport sections are engines which carry us swiftly and safely whether by sea, rail, ait or road. Manufacturers of the Argentine will lind the latest mechanical equipment, pastoral or agricultural, and will make the acquaintance of many modernised types and standards, the Argentine housewife will seek amongst the applied arts some of the inspiration which converts the mure house into a home, for it is iuJ only in mass production but in beauty ami fitness of individuality that, true progress lies. “The position of the Dominion of 'Canada will show fully and geographically for the first time to the Argentine the national progress of another great nation in the north, with the development of its vast resources in a way which must be full of interest to the country which has so many similar economic problems. Spirit of Revival. “There is a spirit of revival amongst British industrialists and this exhibition is a sign thereof. Jho dislocation of the old highly organised methods of industry and commerce has given way to a period of reorganisation now ending. The process of adapting the mechanism of trade to the new conditions is almost complete. England has refreshe 1 and re-sirenglhencd her original powers. The countries which suffered most from the prevailing economic depression are those with the largest foreign trade. Great Britain and the Argentina together arc b that category; their export trade per capita is almost precisely equal. Foreign trade is vital lo prosperity. Failure to rqyogniso that trade is an intercharge is among the obstacles placed in the way of .reciprocal trade, which is- perhaps one of the main causes of the world s present troubles. If, ns we all hope, the response of the Argentine purchasing public to the appeal of the exhibition leads in some measure to a revival of industrial prosperity in Great, Britain and consequently a diminution of industrial unemployment, the reciprocal result will be an increase in the British consumption of Argentine meat and cereals.

“It is certain that inteivhangc has, however, no narrow moaning restricted only to commerce. Of equal signifiI canco is the develojunent of mutual cultural knowledge. .England desires to exchange with the Argentine the ideas of visitors as well as goods. This exhibition will have that cllect. ” The Prince spoke briefly in Spanish, stressing the value of the personal visits with the resultant opportunities for forming cultural and social contacts. He issued an invitation to Argentine to visit Great Britain. Concluding, the Prince of Wales said: “ [ dedicate this exposition to the Argentine people and vonlidently entrust its success to their care.” The Prince made his last appearance to-night at a grand ball on the Hying deck of H.M.S. Cagle, lie leaves Binnos Aires aa dawn on Monday in an aeroplane for Cordoba, where ho will remain until ready to board his steamer for home. The Prince of Wales dec: rated President Urabuni with the Grand Gross of the, Order of the Bath and later pinner othcer decorations on the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, War Marine, and the Interior. Aid From Americans. Although the exposition generally is admitted to be au effort by the Brit-

ish to win commerce away from the Americans, local American business organisations look upon (ho fair with the heartiest goodwill and hope it will be successful. Many Americans, iu fact, have co-operated with the British in the preparation of their exhibits. American road machinery was lent, not. sold, to the organisers for street building within the grounds, and American loud-speakers and telephones were installed. The Germans here, rather than the Americans, are upset by the exposition. They are demanding that their Government make some official gesture to assist German trade. They argue (hat in a light such as this between the British and Americans they ought not I a stand idle. NEW YORK, March 15.

The New York Times states: ‘‘Buenos Aires ought never again to be nn odium to British trade for she was raised almost to (lie level of sublime to-day upon the occasion of the inauguration of the British trade fair by the Prince of Wales. British marines formed a guard of honour at (lie exposition grounds and (he band of (he (jueen’s Own Cameron Highlanders played the Argentine and British national anthems. The King himself sent u message to Argentinians calling their attention to the importance of the exposition. The fair opened with all the pomp and glory of an international event. ■ The Prince of Wales speaking through an international radio “hookup” delivered his vigorously applauded inauguration address, heard in Britain a well as America. He spoke in English and excellent Spanish. Argentina never hates any foreign visitor, and the Prince made himself so popular that undoubtedly he would be elected president of the Argentine Republic tomorrow if ho wanted the position. His popularity in South America is incredible. Only part of his altractioa is due to his being of Royal blood, the rest being due simply to his ability to make himself extremely popular without Irving.