"GETTING TOGETHER"

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 38, 17 March 1930, Page 6

"GETTING TOGETHER"

After a visit to New Zealand extending over several montiis, the Prime Minister of Ulster, Lord Craigavon, has returned home and on arrival in London had some nice things to say concerning this Dominion. What is more important, is his opinion regarding closer trade relations within the Empire, for he is getting near the mark when he says that sueh a policy as that put forward by ex-Premier Baldwin recently will be acclaimed in New Zealand. Lord Craigavon made a plea fot tourists from the Homeland not only to visit New Zealand but urged an effort to promote travel withm the Empire on British ships, Unfortunately, he pointed out people had drifted into the Contmental holiday habit, negleetmg the Empire 's own wonderlands. ihere is not the slightest doubt that the all-imporiant question of tourlst traffie has still to be tackled by this eountry, for not only is there tremendous seope, but there is presented an avenue of industry for development that must one day be one of the most important factors in the prosperity of the eountry. It is Lord Craigavon 's attitude on the closer Empire trade question that will attract most attention at the present moment. The growth of the _ Dominions and the rigidly proteetionist poliey of each one makes the question one of increasing urgency. But there are big difficulties ahead in the solution of this- problem. New Zealand is a splendid customer of the iVIother Country, but while we send the bulk of our primary products there we do not purehase all the goods from Britain that we might. Therefore, is it unreasonable for manufacturers at Home to ask that their manufactures should come into New Zealand untaxed? It is obvious that free trade in English goods would not be a popular cry in Australia, -for the Commonwealth is now elaborating what amounts to a prohibition duty on certain British goods. Nor is Canada a more likely field. _ To restrict foreign goods, to curtail exports to the foreigner, and to replaee them by exactly the same amount of dominion trade, would not be of the slightest benefit to Great Britain, Closer Empire trade is a great ideal, but there are phases of it that are difficult to overcome.

Like everyone else, ex-Premier Baldwin sees the serious position of our Empire trade and believes that in the Dominions there is most room for expans'on. "Out percentage of trade in Europe — our exports — is less than before the wai*.. The great market of the'Umted States is more and more hedged in by tariffs as the years go by, The only expanding markets in the world, the only markets in whose expansion we may take part without fighting to rob someone else of their share, lie in the Empire." It is bere that the Economic Conferehce will indeed be useful, for the various statesmen from the Dominions will be able.to put forward their views and the big trading interests at Home will discover what prospects there are of mutual concessions. The opinion i® held that mutual preference is the most helpful means of expanding trade, and undoubtedly the whole subject of our economic relations re.quires careful attention. Lord Beaverbrook's plaii js free trade within the Empire — a movement to develop the resourees, the industry and the commerce of all parts of the Empire to the fullest possible extent. The whole British Empire is to be one economic unit. The plan is a tariff wall round the Empire; but whilst this may be a very fine ideal, the success that attends the » building of the wall is eonditional upon a reasonable response from the various parts of the Empire. Undoubtedly, Lord Beaverbrook'c move is a step in the right direction and we believe the gerleral state of public opinion is favourable for such an effort which will promote a good understanding and lead to the. development- of the wealth of our Empire. How far the movement will succeed remains to be seen. Already Mr Baldwin has pledged the support of the Conservative Party to the cause,. and strenuous efforts will no doubt be made to effect an arrangement suitable to a maiority of the interests concertied. It is possible that' we will see brought into operation within the next few years a system of treaties within the Empire, giving - preference, and Empire trade nut on a new self-contained basis. The Empire'^- economic life presents much seope for eo*ordination so that the goods now purchased outside dan be bought within. Lord Beaverbrook's "get together" prouosals will meet With much suppOrt in every corner of the Empire, but whether they will stand the test of pfadtical auplicatioii is linfor-' tuiiately doubtful.