EMPIRE TRADE CAMPAIGN

Taranaki Daily News, 8 August 1930, Page 11

EMPIRE TRADE CAMPAIGN

KEEN INTEREST IN. BRITAIN

BIG CHANGE IN PUBLIC OPINION.

NEW ZEALAND VISITOR’S VEWS.

Dy Telegraph.-—Press Association. Wellington, August 7. "During recent months the subject of trade within the Empire has leapt into public interest,” ,said Mr. W. Machin, Christchurch', : wiro returned from England by the Rangitiki. Whatever may be said about the motives of Lord Beaverbrook and Lord Rothcrmere, they have undoubtedly made it a subject of first-rate importance to millions of people at Home.” Mr. Machin was the Dominion representative at the Congress of Imperial Chambers of Commerce held in London.

“Free Trade within the Empire, reciprocity in trade -with the Dominions, safeguarding and kintllred (juestidns ai - e being discussed 5 everywhere ‘in - Britain earnestly and intelligently,” .said, • Mr. Machin. "There' is' far' more informed discussion and far less froth than there was in the Chamberlain protection campaign 30 years ago on safeguarding. People in the trades which have been subjected to it are practically, unanimously in favour of. it, and yeal dismay and apprehension exists in the districts concerned at the possibility of the present Government abolishing the .duties. The change in public opinion on tariffs during the last 11 years is remarkable, but there was an enormous mass of the British public which objected to import duties on raw materials and a largernumber - to-- food •.ta-xes.” People were asking for New Zealand products everywhere, due probably to the excellent advertising of -the Empire Marketing Board. New Zealand butter was not as easily obtainable as it should be, and not sometimes as fresh,, while the retail price was not generally related to the wholesale cost.