TRADE PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 272, 12 August 1932, Page 11

TRADE PROBLEMS

Empire and Foreigners OTTAWA DISCUSSION Anglo-Canadian Parley (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrigtit.) Ottawa, August 10. The Imperial Conference’s Committee on Commercial Relations with Foreign Countries met to-day for the first time, and elected Mr. N. C. Havenga (South Africa) chairman. It appointed a sub-committee for detailed examination of:— (1) The relation of inter-Imperlal preferences to trade with foreign countries. (2) ’JJbe interpretation of the most-favoured-nation clauses, particularly In reference to the development of regional preferences and systems of Import quotas. Economic Co-operation. The Sub-Committee ou Economic Cooperation has prepared a statement outlining various Imperial oranlsatlons now functioning with a view to filling in the gaps. This committee’s work will not be completed at Ottawa. It will prepare a series of reports for the respective Governments, on which each may act Individually. Discussion of Canada’s Case. The British and Canadian experts were together all day long discussing details of Canada’s case. Both parties have abandoned the apparently unsatisfactory method of attempting co evaluate the respective figures, and are now discussing the offers Item by item, and exploring the whole position. It is unlikely that Canada will reply to Britain’s memorandum, but the desired result is expected to be achieved through experts’ discussions. It is officially announced that as a result of thf Canadian Cabinet’s review of the reciprocal proposals, today’s negotiations with the British experts are progressing satisfactorily. There is a real desire on the part of both sides to bring about something definite, and it is confidently anticipated that the wide gap will be bridged, and an agreement .achieved with the minimum of delay. It is suggested that the serious discrepancies in the Anglo-Canadian figures were due to the fact that the statisticians worked on different years. It is pointed out as an example that Canada’s 1931 Imports were 500 million dollars, compared with the 1030 imports of 800 million. Harmonious Progress. | ' The official spokesman stated that there was no split not hint of split or threatened resignations of the Canadian Cabinet Everything was progressing harmoniously. He deprecated a published report that it was a oneman Cabinet, and that Mr. Bennett would eventually over-ride any rebellious colleagues. The emphasis of the denial rather reveals the true position, but it is expected that Canada’s difficulties will resolve themselves speedily, and then Canada will be In line with the other Dominions, whose negotiations with Britain are reaching the final stages. Thus the progress of the Conference has not been materially Impeded. Mr. Bennett Blamed. The Conservative paper, the “Montreal Gazette,” in an editorial headed “Grave Deadlock at Ottawa,” says “the impasse is attributable largely to Mr. Bennett’s disposition to run the Government as a one-man show and endeavouring to apply the same methods to the Conference as ha has followed in the conduct of domestic affairs, but he takes too great a responsibility. The situation is anxious, and unless it is remedied the Conference will close with the two Empire units mostly concerned, namely, Britain and Canada, sharing only in its lesser achievements. As far as the other Dominions and Colonies are concerned, the negotiations are sufficiently advanced to ensure a successful Issue. Canada now stands more than ever at the parting of the ways.” CONVERSION LOAN . Alleged Offer to Australia MR. BRUCE’S DENIAL New York, August 10. The newspapers repeat an absurd story that the British Government has offered to guarantee a £5OO million Australian 3J per cent, conversion loan in London, replacing the existing overseas debt, provided that Australia is willing to concede what tariff concessions Britain desires. The “Herald-Tribune” says that Australia would gain £7,500,000 annually under this offer. Mr. S. M. Bruce says that the Story is absolutely without foundation. No such suggestion has been made at Ottawa.