The Washington times., 1903-03-16
ENGLAND NOW WANTS
A COMMERCE BUREAU
Americas Action Cited as a
Good Example.
AGITATION ALREADY BEGUN
London and Halifax Chambers Will
Pass Strong Resolutions-Poll
of Business World.

The creation of a Department of Com
merce in the United States has awak-
/ ened great interest in other countries,
and especially in the mother country.
where our active but friendly rivalry
/ in the worlds markets is a subject of
much attention. and the appointment OF
a minister of commerce for the United
Kingdom is being urged. The London
/ Chamber OF Commerce Journal" The
official organ of the London Chamber of
Commerce in a recent issue says:
IN this country the opinion was for
/ long held that the best way TO assist
/ trade was to leave it severely alone and
/ TO rely upon the foresight. skill and
energy Of our merchants and manufac-
! turers 10 maintain our re-eminent po-
/ sition in the worlds markets Latterly,
however, there has been tendency 10
direct the attention Of parliament more
and more TO commercial matters.
1T is unquestionabIe that the idea is
rapidly gaining IN strength, that in
many directions considerably more at
tention and assistance might be given
by the state to extending trade than IS
at present accorded. In saying this, the
| fact is not overlooked that OF recent
years commercial questions have re-
! ceived increasing attention from the
| government. but the feeling is rapidly
growing in intensity that what is really
wanted is that they should be inrusted
10 a minister with full cabinet rank,
who must himself be a business man.
and whose sole duty shall be TO watch
over. foster and support the vast trad
ing and Industrial interests OF the coun-
try.
Tense Rivalry in Trade.
we are now at a period OF tense riv-
/ airy in trade; our merchants and man
I ufacturers are face to face with the
keenest competition that has ever been
known; and that competition is daily de-
veIoping Is it not remarkable in view
/ of the magnitude OF the interests in
volved. that the United Kingdom-the
greatest manufacturing and commercial
nation in the world-has not in the cab
met, minister OF commerce?
In the United States. which may be
looked upon as our most formidable
/ competitor, and whose people are keenly
/ alive to the necessities OF modern com
merce. the need for such minister has
already been fully recognized. Surely
! Great Britain cannot afford to lag be-
( hind. II rests with the business men OF
/ this country 10 present a united front in
this matter and TO make their wishes
known. through their commercial or
CARNATIONS, in such manner as to
command the support of the govern
ment and the nation.
THAT the conviction Of the need for
I this appointment is steadily gaining
ground appears to be undoubted. Sever
al chambers OF commerce have already
/ expressed themselves in unmistakabIe
terms in favor of the proposal. while the
London and Halifax chambers have de-
cided to pass strong resolutions in sup
port thereof at the annual meeting OF
/ the associated chambers TO be held in
London next March Thus will be af-
forded an opportunity OF obtaining
definite pronouncement OF the views OF
the general body of commercial men
throughout the kingdom, which cannot
fail TO materially influence the end in
view.
Nations Interests Demand It.
hoSt AAo ASK TOT ine appointment
OF a minister OF commerce do not do so
in airy spirit OF complaint or animosity
against the board Of trade. but because
they believe that the interests OF the
country would be best served by the es-
tablishment Of the desired ministry.
There is no inclination to disparage the
good work performed by the department.
which has rendered great services TO
commerce. Few people are aware OF the
varied duties intrusted 10 the care Of the
board of trade but II mention IS made
OF some Of the most important. such as
the regulation and control OF shipping
fisheries. and harbors. labor and arbitra-
tion in labor disputes. the safeguarding
OF the public interest in regard to rail-
ways, the conduct Of bankruptcy laws. the
collection and dissemination of particu-
lars as 10 tariff alterations and other
commercial information. some idea will
be gained OF the magnitude of the inter
ests with which It deals.
And yet the department which has
charge Of all these important CONNER
ciai matters is not on an equality with
other government departments. like the
homo ONCE and the foreign Office, its
head only receiving a remuneration
amounting to about two-Gfths OF that Of
principal secretary Of state. What is
wanted for commerce is a department
which shall be in q position TO give its
undivided attention 80, the furtherance
OF commercial interest only. so that the
distinction between board Of trade as
now existing and ministry OF COM
merce, as proposed. is rot a mere matter
of words. but constitutes a vital differ
ence Ia principle"
CHICAGO BARTEEDERS FORM
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