CANADA'S POSITION

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 150, 29 June 1929, Page 9

CANADA'S POSITION

ANSWER TO CRITICISM

IMPRESSIVE FIGURES

United Press Association—;By Electric Tel'e- < grapo—Copyright. Australian Press Association —United Service. (Received 29th June, 1 p.m.) TABA (Ontario), 28th Junk. "If changes, are made in the United States tariff which are found detrimental to the interests-of Canada, alterations in the Canadian tariff structure to correct the situation will unquestionably be made," the Minister of Trade and Commerce, Mr. Malcolm, said in an address .here on Friday, 1 answering the criticisms of ' the' Government's tariff policy by the Conservative leader, Mr. Bennett, in his Ontario tour. "The Government is much more alive to the situation than the Leader of the Opposition, and is fully prepared, in the interests of Canada, to readjust its fiscal policy from time to time to meet any changes that may take place in the tariff structure of the United States or any. other country." Mr. Malcolm said, referring to Mr. Bennett's demand for an Empire Trade, Conference, that ever since the late Hon. W. S. Fielding introduced British preference it had been the Liberal policy to increase trade within the Empire. In the past eight years Canada's imports from British countries increased from approximately 150,000,000 dollars to 257,000,000 dollars, and Canada's exports from 347,00,0,000 dollars to 539,^ 000,000 dollars, giving an increase of trade with the Empiro during that period of almost 300,000,000 dollars. The Minister reviewed the volume and nature of- Canada's trade with the United States. During 1928 the Dominion had imported raw materials from the United States to the value of 222,000,000 dollars and exported to the United States raw materials valued at 153,000,000 dollars. Consequently, if it was a sacrifice to sell unfinished products, Canada's sacrifice was less than that of the United States by 69,000,000 dollars. Canada's trade in manufactured products-with the United States was large, and the Minister admitted that the balance stood against the Domirtion, but this feature was less marked than formerly. '' We sell,' ?' he said, "500,000,000 worth of goods to the United States yearly and, judging by the past experience, the value will not shrink materially, whatever the tarifffixers at. Washington may do."