EMPIRE TRADE.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19450, 14 December 1934, Page 12

EMPIRE TRADE.

AN EXPANDING VOLUME. GREAT ELECTION WEAPON, EFFECTS OF OTTAWA AND TARIFFS ' LONDON, Deo. 12. Brigadier-General Sir Henry PageCrofts, .speaking at the Empire lndus 7 ■tries Association’s luncheon, expressed the opinion .that the greatest weapon in' the hands of 'candidates at the next general election would be 'the wonderful success of the tariff and also of the Imperial trade policy, and the vista of hopefulness they opened up. Sir Robert Horne, M.P., said that British production in 1934 had Increased 2 per cent compared with 1928, while the production, of most foreign'.countries, including the United States, had fallen 25 per cent. They bad not reached the 'end of the progress achieved since the lOttawa Conference- Britain's exports to the Empire now for the first time In history, were- greater than exports to .foreign •countries. The Liberals say the Dominions have got the best of the bargain. If this were so it was not a matter for 'complaint. The character of Britain’s trade to Empire suited her better than foreign trade, and the ■sooner she started making arrangements with the Dominions on lines on which each was going to develop, the better It will toe. A survey of Empire resources with a view to 'complementary production on most favourable lines should immediately be undertaken.

Air L. C. AI. S. Amery (formerly Secretary of State for the Dominions), who presided, said 'that Britain had risen from third place among the world’s exporters in 1931 lo first in 1934.