NEW ZEALAND’S IMPORTS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1931, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND’S IMPORTS

BRITISH GOODS MORE POPULAR.

AMERICA LEARNING LESSON'.

“A marked feature of the year, has been the increase in the percentage of British goods included in our foreign purchases,” said Mr.lL. M. Moss in his presidential address at the annual meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce last night. The development of reciprocal trade with Britain' depended upon public demand for British goods as against foreign goods in lines not catered for by the Dominion’s own manufacturers, continued Mr. Moss. The growing sentiment in favour of Empire goods had. been greatly stimulated by the advice and example of the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and should be reflected in the figures for „the current trading year. The increased trade with Britain had been to some extent accentuated by America’s self-imposed isolation behind her high tariff walls. It was clear that America was slowly learning that she could trade with the rest of the world only by permitting the normal flow of goods in exchange. That this was already recognised by her leaders was shown by the offer to postpone payment of war debts for twelve months, a gesture which had considerably brightened the outlook during the past month. If their leaders could bring the American people to their point of view, the result would be a substantial cancellation or reduction of war debts with a modification of tariff, and a resultant activity in world trade.'