MR PAGE'S PUNCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 59, 9 February 1925, Page 10

MR PAGE'S PUNCH

FRANK TALK TO AMERICA. PLEA FOR MORE TRADE. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 20. At a luncheon tendered him by the Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Federal Treasurer, Dr Earle Page emphasised the close relationship felt by Australia for the United States. The Commonwealth, he said, realised that she had a common interest, especially with the Pacific States, and showed this in her trade last year. While Britain was first, the United States came easily aecond hi the volume of Australia's trade. This was valued- at £180,000,000. That was double the value of the trade carried l out with any other country. Dr Page added: "We buy four times as much from you as you buy from us, and we are not at all satisfied with this very one-sided arrangement. A more equalised balance of trado would improve the services of the two countries, making for better freights, and so tending to create a beneficial circle. "Australians have always regarded that the opening of the Panama Canal will ultimately result in the swinging of the commercial trade centre of the United States to the Pacific Coast. Here in its traffic with Australia lies an excellent opportunity for the traders of the Pacific States to enlarge the existing channels between the two countries, thus ensuring their yteady growth."