BRITAIN AND HER DOMINIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16938, 12 January 1923, Page 6

BRITAIN AND HER DOMINIONS.

PREFERENCE DEMANDED. TRADE DIVERTED TO FOREIGNERS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 12, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, January 11. Mr E. A. Belcher lectured to the Colonial Institute on the development of trade within the Empire in relation to the Empire Exhibition. Sir Joseph Cook, who presided, deprecated the custom of British shopkeepers in displaying Danish and other foreign produce while keeping Dominion products in the background. It was about time, he said, that British salesmen stopped giving preference to foreigners. Mr Belcher pointed out that every Dominion gave Britain preference, and it was imperative that- Britain should reciprocate. Otherwise, their trade would be diverted to foreign countries. Ho instanced motor-cars, the colonial trade in which was practically limited to the United States. He pointed out that Britain imported under one hun dredth part of her currant supplies from the dominions, "while 99 per cent came from Greece. Ho suggested that Britain should admit Dominion currants duty free for five years.