HUNT FOR TRADE.

Grey River Argus, 5 March 1929, Page 6

HUNT FOR TRADE.

IN AUSTRALIAN MARKET. VANCOUVER, March 1. Speaking at the Canadian ClubT Sir Arthur Duckham (the English capitalist who with three companions recently toured Australia and gave a report to the Federal Government on the economic situation) stated that the industrial conferences recently held ia Australia might lead to the solution of many economic difficulties in the Commonwealth. With him as a guest of the chib was Sir Alfred Young, Chief Justice of Fiji. Sir A. Duckworth described Australia as “The Land of Sunshine and Honey/’ where the cost of production was high and the trade unions dominated the situation. The farmers in the great irrigated areas, he said, had to face high labour costs and high cost for transportation. The marketing of the produce was a grave problem. His trip to Australia, had changed many of his prectonccivfcd iidpas. Batons must some time be convinced of the importance of developing trade with Australia, and of the fact that Australia must be kept for the Britain race. A proper investigation of her tariffs will result in a great benefit to Australia. He expressed- the hope that the mat-J ter would be considered at the next Empire Conference, and that a way would be found in which all parts or the Empire could trade within the Empire. VANCOUVER, March 3. The possibility of British Columbia giving preference to Australian lines through the Government laying down such a policy for the Liquor Board is being discussed unofficially here, t is pointed out that the Province is

1 facing the possible loss of the Unite States lumber markets through th tariff barrier, and Australia might re ciprocate in the matter of lumber i return for wine preference. Co'onel Nelson Spencer, Vancouve member, discussing the piK/position said it would r.ot only be consisten with the policy of trading within th Empire, but sound business to buy th bulk of the Province’s wine from Aub tralia. NO REFERENCE. LONDON, March 2. “The Times’’ in an editorial, says The desire that Dominion timbei should be more largely used is hardlj fair. If architects and builders visu the Australia timber display at Aus ra’*ia House, they will see that these timbers possess merit not only in theii appearance, but ini tljeir suitability for British conditions. In seeking a footing, however, Australia must alsc see that they compare favourably in price and in quality with the foreign timbers, and there must also be regular shipments. CANADA’S TRADE. BIG INCREASE. OTTAWA, March 1. I For the fiscal year ending March 31, Canada has a net surplus of 69,782,000 'dollars, th c Minister of Finance (Mr Robb) announced, in presenting the Budget t 0 Parliament. The net debt was also reduc.ed by 70 millions, and there was a favourable trade balance of 154 million dollars for ten months of the fiscal year. ll e stated that 42 per cent of the

total expenditure could be attributed to war obligations. No direct reference was made to the fiscal policy in relation to the United States, but the Minister referred to Canada’s increasing foreign trade in a way which suggested that Canada has adopted a policy of “ watchful waiting. ’ ’ He declared: “It is our desire to trade freely with any and all who are willing to trade with us. but, other things being equal, our policy is one of favouring those countries which favour our products.” REDUCED TAXATION. (United Service). X (Australian k N.Z. Cable As**}. OTTAWA, March 1. Most of the changes in tariff announced by Mr Robb are merely adjustments, but the total loss of revenue in tariff reductions and other taxes is estimated at 25 millions dollars. The sales tax has been reduced from three to two per cent. The tax on railway and steamship tickets and telegrams and cables has been removed.