DANGER TO EMPIRE OF ABOLITION OF IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 September 1950, Page 10

DANGER TO EMPIRE OF ABOLITION OF IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

WELLINGTON, Yesterday (PA).— A warning that a drastic change in the trading policy, such as the abolition of Empire preference, might mean the disintegration of the Empire, was given by Mr. H. B. Roe, acting-presi-dent of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives’ association, in his presidential address at today's annual meeting of the organisation. “Britain instituted the Ottawa agreement and Empire preference at the time when the whole world was suffering from a depression, and from then onwards conditions within the Empire and trading generally throughout the world —improved,” said Mr. Roe. “Today more than ever before Empire preference is vital to the Empire as a whole and to each individual unit. Britain lost most of her overseas markets through her war effort and now finds she is unable to rehabilitate herself fully as such a large proportion of goods she desires to export are locked out by one form or another of import control—and by countries she has done so much to assist. “The United Kingdom manufacturer and Empire primary producer are the baritone of the British Empire and Empire preference with its interchange of gods could be called the backbone of their success. The United Kingdom manufacturer has been established for centuries and traded equitably with the four corners of the earth, but if these overseas markets are not prepared to trade with her now, how is she to maintain her own economy and trade with them?’’ he asked. In fact, how is she to live?” Refeiring to the Torquay conference to begin this month, Mr. Roe said it would appear that Empire preference would stand or fall by the decisions reachsd there. “I have already stressed the importance of Empire preference, but how many of us realise that such a drastic change in our trading policy as the abolition of this system might mean the disintegration of our Empire?" asked Mr. Roe. Me emphasised the need for more unity and co-operation within the Empire and the desirability of an Empire customs union.