TRADE AND TARIFFS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1930, Page 15

TRADE AND TARIFFS

SAFEGUARDING IN BRITAIN CHANGE IN PUBLIC OPINION. <Tn recent months .the subject of trade within the Empire has leapt into public Interest,” said Mr. W. Machin, of Christchurch, who returned from England by the Rangitiki on Wednesday. Mr. Machin was the Dominion representative at the Congress of British Chambers of Commerce, held at London earlier in the year. “Whatever may be eaid about the motives of Lord Beaverbrook and Lord Rothermere—and plenty of things are being said —they have undoubtedly made it a subject of first-rate importance to millions of people at Home,” said Mr. Machin.

“Free trade within the Empire, reciprocity in trade with the Dominione, safeguarding and kindred questions aie being discussed everywhere in Britain earnestly and intelligently. There is far more informed discussion to-day and far less ‘froth’ than there was in the Chamberlain protection campaign 39 years ago. “As regards safeguarding, the people in trades which have been subjected to it are practically unanimous in its favour. Real dismay and apprehension exist in the districts concerned at the possibility that the present Government will abolish the duties, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Philip Snowden, is regarded, as the force responsible for the Government’s decision. Mr. Machin said he had heard much discussion of the famous resolution passed by the Trades Union Congress, advocating complete economic unity with the Dominions. The change in public opinion on tariffs during the last 11 years was remarkable. Bodies of people, and an association which a few years ago would have declined even to discuss the .question of imposing duties on raw materials and foods, were now examining it patiently. At the congress -which he attended the order paper contained 20 remits on Imperial trade, every one of which suggested a greater or less departure from free trade. One of these remits, which lie had moved, bore on the necessity for Imperial preference with the Dominions and Colonics. When the remit was‘put only three of the 299 delegates dissented from it.

Probably the most significant change in public opinion was that recorded a month ago in a questionnaire submitted to members of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. • There were 60-7 replies in favour .of the policy known generally ao free trade, 986 in favour of a settled policy of safeguarding, and 232 in favour of a general protective tariff on imports, including raw materials and foodstuffs. Mr. Machin quoted other more or less similar evidence of the growing opinion in England, even in Northern England. “Wholesale prices on the average in England are now less than 20 per cent, above the pre-war prices, and -wages are still, on the average, about 70 per cent, above the pre-war rates. The impression is prevalent everywhere that the retailers are having a good time and making money. There seems, too, to be some ground for this, for the lag in the reduction of retail prices has been most pronounced. As far as New« Zealand products were concerned, Mr. Machin said people were asking for them everywhere, and that this was due probably to the excellent advertising of the Empire Marketing Board. New Zealand butter, however, was not as easily obtainable as it should be, and not sometimes as fresh, while its retail price was not generally in proper relation to its wholesale cost. .... “New Zealand cheese is not up to tfye high quality of our other products, nor is it as popular,” said Mr. Machin. ‘‘l should say our cheese industry requires serious reorganisation. “I have no doubt that British people are keen to buy from the Dominions, and are ready to consider definite proposals for reciprocal trading. Britain has, however, an enormous foreign trade, and any increase in costs or expenses would probably injure, that trade.” '