In this connection, the position' of Trinidad's oil products in the British market is the source of some diss: tisfaction. At the last meeting of Apex (Trinidad) Oilfelds, Mr. Walter Maclachlan declared that Trinidad had had no response to its dai made through the Legislative Council, for a preference in the United Kingdom in favour of oil produced within the British Empire—despite the importance of increased supplies from the Colony in time of war. At the sixth congress of the Associated West Indian Chambers of Commerce, at the end of last August, the matter was raised again and the following resolution moved:—
"Whereas in view of the importance of petroleum and its derivatives to the British Empire; and whereas the Home Government has already accepted the principle of preference for petrol produced from coal in the United Kingdom: be it resolved: "That this Congress strongly urges that further and careful consideration be given by His
ference Majesty's Government to the oucstion when produced and refined within the Empire."
There, for the present, the metter rests; but the events of the international crisis of September have obviously given fresh point to the issues which the resolution raises. A decision, one way or the other, on rounds of national policy, ought speedily to be reached.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.