FREE TRADE DEAD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 October 1930, Page 5

FREE TRADE DEAD.

AS INDUSTRIAL POLICY. FRANK TALK. Press Association Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, Tuesday. With three chairmen, six toasts, and eleven speeches, to-night’s banquet was easily the most formidable which the Dominions’ representatives have faced yet. Sir Walter Raine (Chambers of 'Commerce) presided at the centre of the table, flanked by tables at which Lord Inchcape (shipping) and Sir James Lithgow (Federation of British Industries) presided. Sir James Lithgow said he gladly noted Mr 'Scullin’s suggestion for consultation in business, and would be glad to take up the matter with him. 'His organisation was at Mr Scullin’s disposal. The speaker added: “Free Trade as an industrial policy is dead. (Cheers). Artificial respiration will be attempted by a faithful minority, but Free Trade must eventually be buried. (Cheers). Many believed, and all hoped, that Mr Thomas would rise above party and become the statesman laying the foundation- stone for Empire economic unity. This involved food taxes.” (Cheers). Mr Thomas asked, why carry on the humbug and hypocrisy of assuming that all virtue was in one party or section of the community? Nothing was more dangerous than applying quack remedies: during a depression. It would be unfair to suggest that any Dominion delegate came to the conference to propagate party interests. Lord Inchcape said trade recovery in Britain and Australia rested largely with the trade union leaders. If they could get unionists to realise that it was impossible to get a quart from a pint pot, except by filling it twice, unemployment would soon be reduced. Mr Scullin, after urging that the Empire should protect itself from lower standards than other parts of the world, said the conference table was not a bargain counter. Australia had effered to consult British industrialists about new preferences. He would welcome means for dividing between British and Australian manufacturers tli-e forty-five millions sterling worth of manufactures imported from foreigners. Australia gave Britain a preference of 90 per cent and was prepared to look over the other 10 if they put their heads together. Sir Richard Squires divided the world into two classes —lifters and leaners. Newfoundland wanted to help to lift the Empire. Mr R. B. Bennett said he preferred not to discuss conference questions lest an idle word dropped might arouse resentment amongst some just as much concerned with the interests of the Empire as himself. Britain had not taken full advantage of preference. There were,seven hundred branches of United States industries in Canada and seventy in Britain. Mr G. W. Forbes described Sir James Lithgow’s speech as “containing much good'Scottish sense.” Mr Thomas had no need to remind us that each Dominion Prime Minister must consider first the interests of his own people. “We want in our own interests to see Britain prosperous, for unless she is the Dominions will suffer.” A few more speeches carried on the banquet well toward midnight. CHEAP FOREIGN GOODS. WILFORD’S FAMOUS TROUSERS. LONDON, Tuesday. Sir Thomas Wilford’s famous i trousers have created remarkable interest, elp.ecially in the North of England, where a controversy lias been aroused over the figure quoted, 3/14. The agents concerned, however, affirm that this is the actual selling price. Sir Thomas Wilford has received a letter enclosing a cheque for 2/6, and requesting him to send a pair of the famous trousers, but the High Commissioner returned it, saying that he did not deal in trousers. (Sir Thomas Wilford sent Mr Forbes a pair of smart striped trousers to emphasise the seriousness of Britain’s free trade position. “I bought the trousers,” said Sir Thomas, “at Leeds for 2/34. They are of good quality, made in Italy, brought carriage-paid to Leeds, and sold in large quantities at prices a 100 per cent, below the lowest British makers are able to reach. The point I wish to make is that even the suggested imposition of 10 to 15 per cent, ad valorem duty against foreign goods would be no advantage to Britain, for the trousers would then sell at 2/64.”)'