CANADIAN TARIFF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1931, Page 3

CANADIAN TARIFF.

THE RETALIATORY IMPOSTS.

LOCAL ATTITUDE UPHELD

MISSION COMING THIS YEAR?

" I am not a. supporter of the present Government, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due," said a wellknown importer of goods from Canada to-day. " The Government has been roundly attacked for 'using the bludgeon ' to Canada in an editorial published' today, but in my opinion that attack was not justified. Canada took definite action against imports from New Zealand. Our Government attempted to secure a reversal of that policy, and, having failed, took action which, to my mind, was more likely than any other course available to secure a return to reciprocal relations. It is against my interests, as an importer of Canadian products, to 6ay this, but I am convinced that the action taken will force the position, and will result in the framing of a tariff treaty in much shorter time than had the matter been left where it stood, with penal rates on New Zealand and none on Canada. "My view is supported by communications received from Canada by the last mail. In one of these, from the head of a firm with whom I have dealings, the writer says: 'I have recently been to Ottawa, where I had the privilege of discussing trade matters with our Prime Minister. Mr. Bennett is an old friend, and he is, in my opinion, outstanding as a financial leader. He ia acutely conscious of the present contretemps in Canada-New Zealand affairs. This he attributes to the mistakes of our previous Government. At the same time he is one of the most ardent supporters of inter-Empire trade. I am convinced that before many months have elapsed discussions will have taken place between our Government and yours, from which will eventuate a new trade policy on broad and equitable lines.'" This view is supported by a second letter received from a representative of the Auckland house. In the course of this the writer says that he had been advised on the morning the mail left by an authoritative source that a trade delegation headed by the Minister of Commerce would proceed to New Zealand to negotiate' on tariffs before the end of the year. In that event it was possible that the differences between the two countries would be cleared up.