Scrap Ottawa ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 121, 24 May 1937, Page 7

Scrap Ottawa ?

For Anglo-American Trade Agreement MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR CONFERENCE United Pres* Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, May 22. The Australian Associated Press learns that after many months of intensive discussions at Washington and London, British and American Government experts have virtually reached a stage whereby the British Government next week will bo able to submit to the Dominions the principles of a proposed Anglo-American trade agreement which is likely to prove the most important issue at the Imperial Conference. It is understood America has asked Britain to reduce some of the existing protection on agricultural produce, while Britain has asked America to explore the possibility of reducing some of the excessively high tariffs now preventing the normal volume of imports entering the United States. America’s demand affects «ome of the Dominion preferences incorporated in the Ottawa Agreement, but British official quarters informed the Australian Associated Press that there is ao reason to expect that America’s requirements will necessitate a drastic modification of the Ottawa Agreement to the detriment of the Dominions. British delegates next week will stress that the British market alone will not ultimately offer the Dominions an adequate outlet for their expanding output of commodities, compelling them to seek markets elsewhere. It will also be emphasised that the Ottawa Agreement was signed in the throes of a major depression and offered the Dominions a relatively stable outlet, whereas, with prosperity now returning, other buyers are appearing on the horizon, chiefly in Europe, but they will remain prospective as long as the political and economic uncertainties continue. The British Go\ernment will stress on the Dominion delegates the tremendous importance of the closest co-operation between England and America in the face of European dangers.