CHAMBER. OF COMMERCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 118, 21 May 1931, Page 3

CHAMBER. OF COMMERCE.

TRADE WITHIN EMPIRE. AGREEMENT WITH CANADA. The council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce met this morning, the president, Mr. A. M. Seaman, presiding. There was a long discussion on the question of trade within the Empire, and a motion, which was proposed by the president and Mr. A. C. Limn, was amended to read: "That the Government be urged at the forthcoming conference at Ottawa to have explored the possibility of a tariff union of the Empire, giving greater reciprocity within its bounds." Mr. Lunn said that there was no reciprocity between Australia and New Zealand. Reciprocity was impossible if each country was a separate nation within the Empire, and if that happened Mr. Lunn said, it would be tho end of the Empire, and New Zealand with it. The chamber received a letter urging it to take some action in regard to the report that £800 had been granted by tho Unemployment Board to the Manufacturers' Association for the purpose of publicity. It was decided to write to the Minister of Labour asking if the report were correct, and, if so, whether it was a proper method of applying the unemployment funds. Brief reference wa* made to the question of a trade agreement between NewZealand and Canada. Mr. Seaman said he had gained the impression from the Prime Minister's speech at Otahuhu last evening that negotiations had broken down. Several members gave information to the council in committee, and it was decided, in view of the information, to try to arrange a deputation to meet the Prime Minister. In the event of that failing, the president was instructed to write and ask if the interpretation placed on the Prime Ministers remarks at Otahuhu last evening was correct.