BIG AMERICAN TRUST.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8288, 31 January 1920, Page 1

BIG AMERICAN TRUST.

TO CAPTURE WORLD’S TRADE. MENACE TO NEW ZEALAND. The menace to the trade of the rest of the world by the latest American legislation, known as the Webb-Pom-merne Act, the object of which is to smash the American trusts to prevent them competing against each other, while giving them power to organise as one large trust to fight the rest of the world, was read air a meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Farmers’ Union by Mr E. McGregor. It was shown by this that a lage American combine had been formed with a capital of twenty millions, for the purpose of underselling in the markets of the world, and thus gaining goodwill of American goods. Mr McGregor warned the Dominion against the operations of the Trust, aitd thought the New Zealand Government should be asked to 'take some action to protect itself. Major White said that if a boycott was set up against the purchase of American goods, this would meet the whole menace. Mr Milne considered that to meet this attempt at underselling, the Government should impose an import tax of ,say, 20 per cent, on American goods. Mr E. McGregor was thanked for bringing the matter to tlieh notice of the meeting, and it was decided to refer it to the provincial branch of the Union. Major Whyte said there were other markets besides theh English, and they should not be compelled to sell only to England. To his mind there was no better man than Sir Thomas Mackenzie to safeguard their market, if he was only given the necessary power. Mr E. McGregor said .the. world was on the verge of starvation, and it was the duty of the children to look after the mother. Mr John McGregor: But. the mother has turned us down. Mr Ellicot (chairman) said that while the war was on it was the duty of the dominions to enter into agreements with the Mother Country, but now the war was over, it was up to the Imperial Government to recognise the part played by the dominions, and to herself play the game. Major Whyte said it might he a good thing if they were blocked in the matter of shipping. It might then open the question of providing national shipping. Mr Milne: Why not sell to America? We can find a market there. Mr E. McGregor: Then you will be playing into the hands of the devil. Mr Milne: We are in the devil’s hands at present. On the motion -of Mr John McGregor it was unanimously decided to demand a free world market for New Zealand produce at the termination of the present contracts. It was decided to circularise all branches of the Union throughout the Dominion on the matter.