TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 21 June 1924, Page 9

TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE.

Big Problem to Solve.

MR LLOYD GEORGE'S PROPOSAL

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 7.30 p.m., June 20. LONDON, June 20.

Mr Lloyd George made a curious intervention in the Board of Trade debate, delivering a three-decker oration, when the House of Commons was almost empty, though he refused to take part in the full dress debate yesterday. The keynote of his speech was an appeal for a wide impartial examination of whole trade position. An impartial enquiry was more difficult.than a year ago, before the matter was complicated by political prejudices, but we should get the facts. We can then draw our own inferences. The nation is capable of saving itself in an emergency, provided it knows the truth. The success of the Dawes “report would establish German credit. Therefore, like the official enquiry into, the free money market, there was a danger that British capital would be used to re-equip her competitors, rather than develop the countries which would be purchasers of our goods.

LABOUR’S NEW POLICY. GIGANTIC POOLING SCHEME DISCUSSED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 9.40 p.m., June 20. LONDON, June 20. What is probably an index to the Ministry’s idea of the improved marketing of Dominion products, in lieu of preference, was. furnished at a meeting of the Commonwealth Labour group. Mr Gibson vigorously questioned many Labour M.P.’s. He pointed out the success in pooling wheat, and the Bawra’s handling of wool. , He asked: Why not do the same with all produce? This, in conjunction with Mr Snowden’s speech in the House of Commons, is believed to foreshadow proposals to he submitted to the Dominions.

Mr Gibson pointed out that the Commonwealth had already largely abandoned all interference with commerce.

TRADE WITH NEW ZEALAND,

Sir James Allen, as, the result of his Belgian visit, is impressed with the importance of a direct shipping service from New Zealand ,to Antwerp. He hoped the Belgians’ present disposition to buy mutton would be extended later t§ lamb. Antwerp had already erected cold storage in anticipation of trade. Argentine at present was competing successfully, but direct trade with New Zealand would probably become supreme. Sir James Allen, referring to his visit to Belgium, said he had inspected tjie increased cold storage and shipping accommodation at Antwerp, whch was outdistancing Rotterdam, as the chief port on the European mainland. • The Belgians, in return for their taking more New Zealand meat and butter, wanted New Zealand to take more European goods. He pointed out that New Zealand had a tariff against countries with depreciated currency. Any change of policy was a matter for the New Zealand Government.