Forestalling Ottawa

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6810, 17 March 1932, Page 7

Forestalling Ottawa

German Tariff Strategy PROBABLE ARRANGEMENT WITH AUSTRALIA HOW NEW ZEALAND FOUND A MARKET. United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, March 15. The new German tariff move is described by well-informed people as “getting in first" in readiness for the Ottawa Conference. It is believed probable that the upshot of the Australian negotiations will be a German undertaking to hold the super-duties in abeyance for six months on_ assurance being given that a trade agreement similar to Britain’s shall be made within that period. The Australian Press learns that New Zealand in February, was able to do good trade in butter in Germany, thanks to being the “most favoured nation." Germany, under a recent treaty, agreed to admit 5000 tons of Finnish butter yearly at half-duty—namely, 50 marks per 100 kilogrammes (about 3d per lb). New Zealand successfully .’■iaimed equal treatment for a similar quantity, with the result that her butter was admitted at a duty of 50 marks, plus a percentage added previously for tho depreciation in the sterling. Australia’s 'butter, on the contrary, was subject to a duty of 140 marks, plus tho sterling depreciation percentage, making trado impossible. New Zealand’s favoured treatment was due to lxer adoption of the Anglo-German trade treaty of 1924. Success or Disaster STRUGGLE LIKELY ON WHEAT AND MEAT PREFERENCE. LONDON, March 15. If the Ottawa Conference fails, the consequences will be disastrous to the Empire, which will have begun a process of disruption, so the Rt. Hon.. L. S. Amery told King’s College Conservatives. Free Trade inaction he said, had killed the previous conferences. It is rumoured that certain members of Cabinet will resign if wheat and meat preference are granted to the Dominions, and they do not even wish to discuss the subject at Ottawa. “Such a policy would be fatal,” said Mr Amery. “We must meet the Dominions more than half-way."