RECIPROCITY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 September 1924, Page 5

RECIPROCITY.

CANADA AND AUSTRALIA. BY CABLE— PRESS ASSOCIATION —CGPI' HIGH) MELBOURNE, Sept. 28. In connection with the AustraliaCanada reciprocity agreement, the Federal Premier (Mr S. M. Bruce) explained that under the agreement Australia would grant Canada a. reduction in duty on twelve items, while the Commonwealth would receive a reduction on fourteen items. The Commonwealth concessions embraced two schedules. The first comprised goods to which the British preferential tariff applies, including fresh, dried and pr< served fish., gloves, printing, electro* ping machinery, adding and computing machines, cash registers and paper, including newsprint. The second schedule, on which the intermediate tariff applies, includes corsets, ' rubber boots, shoes, iron and steel tubes, pipes, - and pi opelled machinery parts. Canada grants the Commonwealth preference as regards fresh and tinned meats, lard, tallow, eggs, cheese, better, onions, dried and canned hurts, vegetables, wines and a few of her items.

Mr Bruce claimed that the arrangement was a. step towards the it a l . Nation of the ideal of Empire-w.de preference. It included only a limited number of items, but he was confident that it would so increase trade between the two countries that an exiens’on would be found practicable avid desirable.

MrPrattan (Minister for Trade) said the ■ arrangement provided an < >.c< nent opportunity for the entry into a large and profitable market, of which he hoped primary exporters would be able to take full adevantage.. Formal resolutions for the ratification of the schedules will he- introduced in both Houses and will be debated during the coming week. It; is stated the treaty cannot operate before next January, as the Canadian Parliament does not meet till ten.