EXCELLENT PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 266, 5 August 1932, Page 11

EXCELLENT PROGRESS

’ Ottawa Negotiations BRITAIN & AUSTRALIA Satisfied Delegations NEARING AGREEMENT (By Telegraph.-—Preaß Assn.—• Copyright.) (Rec. August 4, 7.15 p.m.) Ottawa, August 3. Evidences of satisfaction based on an expectation of a successful issue to the negotiations with Britain are observed among the Australian delegation to the Imperia! Co"*®* - ®”®*- Secret Anglo-Australian del1 j e . r ?‘ tions lasted all the mornmg, and the delegates adjourned for lunch after one o’clock in the best atmosphere. The proposals of both sides reviewed in minutest d ®tail, an lent progress was made, but It Is not anticipated that Britain will W her final decisions upon the extent to which she will open her market ter more favourably reception of Australian commodities until simda bilateral talks are concluded with al the other Dominions.

There Is no feeling of Jealousy among the New Zealanders at the fact that Australia has thus taken a promtaen place in what are regarded as fina nXtiatlons The New Zealand delegation emphasises that its problems are comparatively simple and have been a - ready thoroughly explained to the Bxit ish delegation and a general idea received in return of what Britain can P M b ?j. G? Coates does not harbour any doubts about achieving a fully satisfactory trading agreement Disclosures of Policy. An official communique states that the final stages in the Anglo-Australian negotiations have begun. AU members of both delegations met in the morning for the purpose of working out a basis of agreement. . This. involves Britain disclosing her policy regarding butter, meat, and fruit, and also involves Australia explicitly stating the utmost ex- ' tent of her concessions. The official spokesman pointed out that the development was possible because the Australian negotiations were further advanced than those of the other Dominions. Thus Australia is tho first to reach the final stage of conversations and the other Dominions will follow in the next few days. It is explained that the process does not necessarily mean bilateral treaties. The Conference may yet decide that general Empire trade agreements shall •e embodied in a multilateral treaty. Helpful Conversations. Mr. S. M. Bruce and Mr. H. S. Gullett to-day had a long conference with seven British Ministers regarding Australia’s case for butter, meat, and fruit and Britain’s expectations of Australian tariff concessions. The discussions will , be resumed probably to-morrow. Mr. Bruce declined to Indicate the nature of the conversations, but it is learned that they were entirely friendly and helpful. Mr. Bruce Is pleased at the progress made. The final decisions by Britain on these products ore likely to be deferred until similar conversations are held with the other Dominions Interested in them—-Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. After the conversations with Mr. Bruce a similar British conference was held with the Indian delegation. Pointer to General Policy. The official detailed business discussions, in which Australia is the first to figure, will have a special significance, seeing that Britain will necessarily be called upon to make a reply regarding butter, meat and fruit. Although the British plan to assist Australia will not be regardable as a fixed scheme for all the other Dominions, nevertheless, It will be a vital pointer to Britain’s general, policy, and the Argentine Is eagerly awaiting the news. She still believes that Britain will refuse the meat quota. Opinion Is growing firmer at Ottawa that a small quota is certain. The Australian and New Zealand meat experts have been in close consultation with British and Canadian experts, with satisfactory results. Until now the Canadians bad not indicated their meat policy, but after friendly discussions, chiefly regarding bacon find live cattle, in which it was pointed out that Canada’s best course was solidly to support the Australian -and New Zealand proposals, Canada ’warmly agreed. Free Traders Converted. The discussions with the British delegates were particularly interesting inasmuch as some who hitherto were inclined to see danger in departing from free trade principles are now won over to the Dominions’ viewpoints These free trade experts have been converted to the Idea that a small meat tariff would not be objectionable if applied In conjunction with a fairly substantial quota. They are grasping tho quota scheme as a means of salving their free trade consciences, convinced that a restriction would help both British and Dominion producers without greatly increasing the prices to the British consumer. Economic Co-operation, The Committee on Methods of Economic Co-operation received the reports of the sub-committees on standardisation and procedure. A sub-committee has been appointed to consider the establishment of minimum requirements for grading standards in agricultural products. This question was raised by Mr. J. G. Coates (New Zealand), who stressed the importance of promoting uniform grading of exported agricultural products. Mr. Coates emphasised the importance of the quality of- the product on the development of the market, not merely in new markets, but In encouraging greater consumption in countries already supplied. New Zealand’s Government grading was a substantial help to the trade. Inferior products from other countries injured the market for everybody, Mr. Coates is bringing before the Conference the alleged unfair competition of subsidised American steamers adhering to Inferior labour conditions in the Pacific trade with New Zealand and Australian ports. A committee, on which Mr. Coates is representing New Zealand. Is examining the position. Base Metals. An Inter-Dominion sub-committee began its Investigation on base metals, ’ principally zine, lead, and copper, in I which Canada, Australia and Rhodesia are principally interested. On* taU

ture of the discussion was the effect of Britain’s duty of 10 per cent, on Imported zinc and lead; and also 10 per cent, on manufactured articles containing zinc and lead and resulting in a position unfavourable to the manufacturer. Canada and Textiles. Mr. R. B. Bennett’s remarks yesterday about textiles have aroused the keenest discussion, and local Interests are wondering whether he meant to convey that he would extend preferences to British cotton, seeing that the Canadian cotton mills are described as an “efficient Industry.’’ A Minister intimately associated with Mr. Bennett to-day volunteered an alternative Interpretation, saying that the new preferences will not be allowed to ruin efficient Canadian industries. Cotton manufacture here is already highly specialised, and many Canadian processes are thoroughly organised. It is understood that these will not be affected, but It does not mean that certain lines of British cottons will not receive better treatment. Mr. Bennett tended to Indicate that where Canadian industries were Inefficient they will not be permitted to totter along under the shelter of protection. Conference Chairman Slighted. Newspaper correspondents are unanimously agreed that Mr. Bennett has made his first and last appearance at a Press interview. The London “Star's” description of Mr. Bennett as “The Buffoon of Ottawa,” which Is given prominence in Canadian newspapers has caused a painful impression for two reasons, one being. that Mr. Bennett is acting as the Conference’s host and the other that his -atti-. tude towards newspapermen is dignified and helpful, the very antithesis of buffoonery. . The British delegation deplores the slight to the chairman of the Conference, but is confident that it will not mar the harmony of relations nor the prospects of dealing successfully with the serious business ahead. It is recalled that Mr, Bennett was the subject of Mr. J. H. Thomas’s unfortunate phrase “humbug” during the 1930- Conference, when Mr. Bennett was proposing consideration of preferential trading which is now the agreed basis of this Conference. Monetary Questions. The sub-committee on monetary and financial questions has begun its task of preparing a report on price levels and stabilising of exchanges. It is felt that such a report would be a most valuable preliminary to the work of the World Conference later in the year. A The relation of the standardisation bodies within the Empire to international bodies and the preparation of a limited number of national standards on which statutory regulations might be based were also discussed. Timber From Canada. Meanwhile, it Is reported that an agreement has been reached between Canadian timber exporters and United Kingdom Importers to be submitted to the advisory section tit the Conference. It is hoped that, the plan will give Canada a market of 1000 million feet in the United Kingdom, equivalent to 30 per cent, of the whole imports. x , All the delegations met Mr. Stanley Baldwin this morning, expressing birthday congratulations. Mr. Bennett, as chairman, officially tendered the ConTerence’s felicitations. Mr. Baldwin replied in a happy speech.