CANADA-N.Z. TRADE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 36, 26 January 1932, Page 6

CANADA-N.Z. TRADE

HON. DOWNIE STEWART RETURNS CONTENTS OF AGREEMENT NOT MADE KNOWN. SUBMISSION TO PARLIAMENTS. Auckland, J an . 25. Bringing with him details ot the new trade agreement which he successfully negotiated for New Zealand in his conferences at Honolulu with the Hon. H. H. Stevens, the Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, Minister of Customs, returned to Auckland by the Niagara this afternoon. Mr Stewart, whose health has benefited considerably by the voyage, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his mission. Mr Stewart made the following statement:— “Nothing can be said at this stage as to the contents of the agreement that has been made with Canada pending its submission for approval to the Cabinets and Parliaments of both countries. However, as these Parliaments are both meeting at an early date, 1 hope merchants and traders will not have long to wait before the position is defined. “It has been suggested that the agreement should be given effect to, in part at least, by Order-in-Council without delay in order that trade maybe more speedily resumed. There are legal difficulties, however, in the way of this being done. It may be urged that, as the present tariff rates on Canadian goods were imposed by Order-in-Council, they can be again modified in the same way, but this aspect of the matter is specially dealt with in section 31 of the Act. which provides that every - Order-in-Council under the Customs Amendment Act, 1921, may be at any time in like manner revoked or varied save that the Order-in-Council to give effect to any agreement or arrangement with another country shall have no effect or operation until the agreement or arrangement has been ratified by Parliament. NO ACTION FOR MODIFICATION. “It will be seen, therefore, that as far as New Zealand is concerned no action can be taken to modify the present position pursuant to the agreement until Parliament has considered the whole subject. “It will be recognised that no bargain with Canada can hope to produce anything like balanced trade owing to the fact that Canada exports a wide range of goods required by New Zealand, whereas there is a very limited number of items exported from New Zealand that are required in Canada. In this respect Australia was in a more fortunate position, as she was able to obtain concessions in rates on dried and canned fruit, fresh oranges, wines and other goods which we do not export. “I am pleased to say that the negotiations with the Canadian Minister, the Hon. H. H. Stevens, were conducted in a most friendly spirit of co-operation, and much useful information was obtained during the conversations. I hope that the agreement will prove satisfactory to New Zealand and that, in so far as it opens up fresh channels of trade with Canada, ou> exporters will do their best to avail themselves of the opportunity created. MORE MODERN MARKETING METHODS. “Other countries are making strenuous efforts to place their products on the Canadian market, and it will be necessary for New Zealand exporters to adopt the most modern marketing methods to bring their goods under the notice of Canadian purchasers. Instances were brought under my notice in which the sole reason why Canadian purchasers were not buying certain New Zealand products was that they had never been asked to do so, and on their attention being drawn to them by casual observers they were only too willing to buy. It is no use the Government opening up avenues of trade if the opportunities thereby created are not made full use of. The Canadian Trade Commissioner, Mr. C. M. Croft, referred to the excellent spirit which marked the negotiations. Both parties evinced a strong desire to reach a satisfactory agreement, and while Mr. Croft would not discuss the terms of conversations he seemed satisfied that the agreement which was reached would be ot very material benefit to both Dominions. “It is my candid opinion,” said Mr Croft, “that if New Zealand exporters follow up the openings which will undoubtedly exist when the agreement is ratified, a substantial volume of export trade to Canada will follow. I believe Canada will prove to be a valuable iflistomer, and we are looking forward to the resumption of the happy relations which existed prior to last year. MR STEVENS RETURNS. IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION Ottawa, Jan. 24. The Minister of Trade and Commerce, Mr. Stevens, returned on Sunday with a tentative trade understanding with New Zealand. It is expected Cabinet will give the matter immediate consideration.