MUST FOSTER EMPIRE TRADE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17995, 4 November 1926, Page 9

MUST FOSTER EMPIRE TRADE.

SIR ROBERT HORNE AVERS FREE TRADE NOT A SOLUTION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 4. 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, November 3. Baron ITunsdon, who presided at the first public meeting of the Empire Industries Association, said that the object of the association was to extend Empire preference and to safeguard home industries. Sir Robert Horne, who was the chief speaker, said that Free Trade offered no remedy for Britain’s loss of trade. “From trade the Empire sprang, and by trade it will be sustained,” he said. Britain had lost pride of place as an exporting country to the United States.

The only bright spot in the present depression was the augmentation of her trade with the Empire. “Obviously the place to look for markets is among our own people oversea," he said, “instead of flirting with our competitor enemies.” Sir Robert Horne advocated the foundation of great Empire settlements to absorb the surplus British population. He concluded by appealing to the Imperial Conference to make reciprocal arrangements for closer union nad mutual trade.