MR BRUCE AT MONTREAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 3 January 1927, Page 1

MR BRUCE AT MONTREAL

CANADIAN-AUSTRALIAN TREATY

(Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ■ (Australian & N,.Z. Cable Association) v OTTAWA, 2nd Jan. Mr Bruce and party arrived at Montreal in a snowstorm and extremely cold weather. The Prime Minister receiveu the Press shortly afterwards, answering questions for an hour or more. Canadian pressmen, showed great interest in the internal development of Australia, and the trade relations between tiie Commonwealth and the Dominion. Mr Bruce expressed the belief that the Canadian-lA'ustralian treaty was' functioning beneficially, but that the, true value of such an arrangement would be more clcarlv discernible O'ver a period of years. He intimated that the treaty was pointing the way to similar arrangements between all the Mr Bruce was asked whether Australia objected to Canadian goods receiving Australian preference if they were made in industries financed by American capital. Mr Bruce replied that there was no objection to American capital in this connection. The; provision in reference to the percentage of British labour entering goods receiving preference was to assure two particular objects, first the general idea of preference to British good as such, and secondno matter what was the source of finance behind a certain industry, whether British or American or otherwise, there was benefit, accruing to a British country, if labour entering into the manufacture of goods was British. This was once the principal purpose of the treaty and to permit only a small percentage of British labour in goods receiving preference ill Australia would defeat this purpose. Questioned whether there was if.likelihood ot the early appointment of an Australian commission in Canada, with a view I<> naturally augmenting trade, Mr Bruce replied that Australia was anxious to further in every possible way trade relationship between the two countries, and while in Canada he would learn what sentiment there was in reference to the appointment of such a representative.