TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18627, 24 July 1930, Page 9

TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE.

London Newspaper Appeal. SPLENDID LEAD BY DOMINIONS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 23, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, July 23. Directing attention to the significance of the recent news items, the “Morning Post” recalls Mr Scullin as saying that preference would be further increased if Britain would enter further into reciprocal arrangements; also to New Zealand’s newly increased preferences; also to Canada’s similar Budget provisions, and the Indian Government’s insistence on British preference, while agreeing to the rise in fiscal duties on cotton. The journal says: “These fiscal actions being undertaken, show that at least part of the Empire would be prepared to progress further along the road of preference, if there were a chance of something being obtained in return. “Is there anything being done?” the paper asks. “We could, if we liked, .make tempting offers. It is easy to see what even a small advantage in the British market would mean to the Canadian wheat farmer, in matter of security. So in Australia, where wheat is one of the staple crops, and South Africa, where especially maize-growing might be developed. New Zealand, as a grower of mixed produce, would also like a stake in the British market. Old countries have shut us out; our future lies with the new countries.” EFFECT OF OBSOLETE DOGMAS. DOMINIONS AND TRADE. Some aspects of the present controversy regarding fiscal policies in Britain were discussed by Lord Melchett at a luncheon gathering of the Overseas League. He expressed disapproval of the suggested referendum on food taxes. “My view is you had better deal with your problems now,” he said. “I am no believer in a referendum—not the slightest. I believe this is an entirely un-English way of dealing with your problems.” Referring to Empire unity, he said there were people who always declared it was a wonderful thing, but were quite sure the Dominions would not do anything. They were like a young man who was going to propose to his young lady, but before doing so said: “She is sure to reject me.” People with such a negative complex were never likely to achieve Empire unity or be successful with a young lady. The message they were constantly receiving was that the Domiinons were ready, but they wanted to know when Great Britain was going to shake off the shackles of worn-out, obsolete theories which were unsuited to the present day. They wanted to know when Great Britain was going to remember that the world was not to-day what it was in the days of Cobden and Bright, and realise that it was being made the dumping-ground for every other country in the world. The bankrupt stock from all over the world was being dumped on the shores of Great Britain.