INTER-EMPIRE TRADE

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1926, Page 9

INTER-EMPIRE TRADE

WOOL, MEAT AND BUTTER QUANTITIES IN STORAGE SUGGESTED PUBLICATION INTERNATIONAL ASPECT By Telegraph—Press Assa. — Copyright. Received. Nov. 2, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. I. Valuable work has been accomplished by the economic sub committee of the Imperial Conference in connection with the collection of statistics relating to supplies and consumption of wool, including stocks in dealers’ and users’ hands. The sub-committee has also considered proposals that the proprietors of eool stores in Great Britain and Northern Ireland should be compelled to notify the details of stocks held in store, which at present are not published in these countries. Particulars of meat and dairy produce are considered essential in order to put the trade on a proper’ basis. Means were considered of making all statistics available for the development of Imperial trade. Messrs. Bruce and Coates are closely watching the proposals for the compulsory periodic issue of statistics of the supplies and consumption of wool, including dealers’ and textile users’ holdings. It may be taken for granted that Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will not accept the plan unless there is a guarantee of international observance of it through a body similar to the Rome International Grain Bureau. The same problem arises in connection with cold storage statistics, because while it is easy to ascertain British ports’ storages and the Dominions would be willing to follow New Zealand’s system of regularly issuing figures of shipments and carcases in store, this would be valueless unless statistics are also available for North and South America activities. The economic sub-committee has been asked to devote special attention to the international aspect of this question. IMPERIAL PREFERENCE. THE FREE TRADE VIEWPOINT. Received Nov. 2, 7.30 p.m. London, Nov. 2. The Daily Chronicle says: “Mr. Amery will do no good service to the Empire if he encourages the Dominion Premiers to expect that we will alter our fiscal system to enable us to give the preferences. Happily the Prime Ministers are well acquainted with the free trade convictions of Great Britain. Our welfare, as a manufacturing and exporting country, depends absolutely upon our capacity to buy in the cheapest markets and carry on trade with all the world. “Mr. Brace truly said that the more we are able to buy from the Dominions the more they will buy from us; but if we desert the free trade system we should defeat the very ends toward w’hich preference is directed, as we should reduce oui- purchasing power. It is not good Imperialism for Tory Ministers to allow their longings for protection of British industry to masquerade in the guise of Imperial goodwill.”