RECIPROCAL TRADE

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 18986, 1 July 1933, Page 14 (Supplement)

RECIPROCAL TRADE

NEW ZEALAND AND BRITAIN.

VIEWS OP MANUFACTURERS. Sir George Elliot’s view that New Zealand must buy more from Great Britain before it can expect preferential treatment In tariffs 13 the one the United Kingdom Manufacturers’ and New Zealand Representatives’ Association has been advocating for a long time, a member told a Christchurch reporter. He remarked that the figures quoted at the annual meeting of the Bank of New Zealand concerning the disparity between the imports from and exports to the United Kingdom by New Zealand were unfortunately only too true.

Unfortunately there had been an increasing How of goods from foreign countries, till it had reached the stage when it became a distinct menace, particularly in such lines as canvas and rubber products, fancy goods, toys and soft goods. Considering that Great Britain was New Zealand's best customer for primary products, it became urgently necessary in New Zealand's own Interests that there should be an adjustment. False Economy. The buying of cheap goods produced in foreign countries was false economy for New Zealand. It was only if there continued to bo an adequate purchase of British products in New Zealand that Britons could go on buying New Zealand products in Great Britain.

A greater flow of profitable trade between New Zealand and England would be to the advantage of every section of the community—the farmers, the commercial men, tho industrialists and the workers.

The association had ardently advocated for years the restriction of protective measures to such local industries as were suitable for the present economic development of tho country, and the reduction of l lie quantity of imports of low-priced goods from foreign countries. “ Great Britain is our best, customer, and we should be one of the best she has,” lie said. “By birth and tradition we are linked to Great Britain. and it would lie iu our own advantage to bo closer linked commercially-'