CANADA MEETS BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 267, 6 August 1932, Page 11

CANADA MEETS BRITAIN

Two-way Trade Proposals MH.T-nn.iiM CORDIAL RECEPTION Timber and Wheat. Preferences BRITAIN’S RUSSIAN TRADE (By Telegraph.— Press Assn.— Copyright.) Ottawa, August 4. - It is officially announced that the Canadian delegation met the British delegation and placed before them the Dominion’s two-way proposals. It is stated on behalf of the Canadian ' Government that the which are distinct and clear-cut, were cordially received. \ It is estimated that under the proposed rearrangement Cana l a P“ chase between a 100 and 200 million dollars’ worth of additional manufactures. Canada exP® cts crease her exports to Britain by ■imilar amount. . Canada asks for Increased preference, in some cases also with quotas, on wheat, lumber, meat, bacon, fish, butter, cheese, metals, vegetables, fruit, live cattle, copper, zinc, lead, and the other hand, Canada submitted a list containing some hundreds . of commodities on which she is pre- ’ pared to offer greater preferences and some articles are to be placed on the free list. ... The largest group of British manufactures which will be given preferences consists of iron and steel goods. The next In Importance is chemicals, anthracite coal, leather and electrical goods, brassware, glassware, and a huge miscellaneous list. Canada last year imported 890,000 > tons of anthracite coal. It Is announced that textiles will not be heavily involved in the new preferences, but a > more favourable treatment will be given some British textile lines which Canada Is not largely manufacturing. \ Canada last year imported 200 milion dollars’ worth of iron and steel goods, of which only 10 per cent, was British . and the balance mostly from the United £ States. * Normally the iron imports were of a value of 350 million dollars before the depression. . ■ . CANADIAN HOPES Preference Over Russia DISCUSSION ON QUOTAS Ottawa, August 4. Canadian Ministers have been informed that Britain will probably raise the preference for Canadian against Russian lumber from 10 to 20 per cent. This has caused the greatest pleasure i in Canadian circles, although, it Is not yet officially confirmed. It would mean the rapid revival of Canada’s timber industry, now in the doldrums. Crossing the Continent the delegates saw > scores of idle sawmills. ; . ‘ Z ) ■,A further important anticipation; likewise not officially announced, is that Britain is prepared to grant the Dominions a 12) per cent, preference on wheat. The parties are still discussing; quotas for both cases, and it is. coni’ sldered likely that Britain will impose some restriction on the imports of Russian timber. Although it is obvious to everyone that Canada’s domestic difficulties have prevented Cabinet framing a programme in the earlier stage, the actual - Conference proceedings have not been inconvenienced, as there is plenty of Other work to be tackled. Now that Canada has come tardily Into line the official spokesman said to-day that the British delegation has assuredthe Canadians that'they had not held up . the Conference. Thus harmony reigns and mutual efforts are proceeding' smoothly and rapidly with important tangible results looming next week. OPENING THE “JACKPOT” Query for Official Spokesman Ottawa, Angust 4. In a Press interview hinting that Britain would agree to restrict Russian imports for' the benefit of Canadian wheat, lumber, and fish, and Australian and New Zealand wheat and butter, the official spokesman pointed out that" Britain last year imported thirty millions sterling worth of Soviet goods and sold Russia only ten millions worth. This figure is even given as low as seven millions. Britain's Russian purchases consisted chiefly of the goods which the Dominions are able to supply. The British delegates have not responded with definite proposals to Canada. An American journalist, likening the proceeding to a poker game, asked. “Will Britain open the jackpot?” The spokesman replied: “Both will come in and both • will draw cards.” (Laughter.) The Anglo-Ind|jan negotiations have made good progress It is emphasised that all the Conference negotiations are going “excellently well.” There is no ill-feeling or dissension, and. perfect friendliness and cordiality prevails. The sub-committee further considered the monetary problems. MODIFIED ESTIMATE Value of Canadian Concessions Ottawa, August 4. The spokesman at the evening Press interview modified his morning estimate of the value- of the concessions Canada is offering Britain; He stated that figures of 100 and 200 million dollars must not be regarded as official, but merely a rough estimate indicating the possible growth of trade. Actually no figures were mentioned In Canada's proposals to Britain. Tobacco is included in the commodities on which Canada is seeking increased preference. The Currency Committee is discussing the facts of the Dominions' positions. but is nor yet formulating remedies.