PROSPEROUS CANADA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20641, 13 August 1930, Page 11

PROSPEROUS CANADA.

REDUCING DEBT AND TAXES.

DEVELOPING EMPIRE TRADE. EFFICIENCY OF INDUSTRIES. ; Very favourable impressions of tha potentialities of Canada and of its development in all directions were formed by Mr. James Hogg, an ex-president of the Dunedin Manufacturers' Association, who has just returned from an extended business tour of Canada; and . the United States, He was one of the delegates at the world Rotary Convention in Chicago, and spoke there on the subject of international understanding. Mr. Hogg found in Canada a remarkable contrast to New Zealand's policy of borrowing and increasing taxation. "Canada has ceased borrowing and to illustrate her wealth and power of. recovery, her debt has been reduced/in the last five years by "he said. " During the same period she: has spent £41,000,00P in public development works, without adding to the national debt, and she granted tax reductions in : 192Q of £23,500,000." ' ■ '' ! L , Shipping facilities, railway transportation and hotels in Canada are" excellent and give satisfaction to travellers, Stated Mr. Hogg. The manufacturing plants are also developed to a high state of efficiency in most cases, and , the production of the wheat provinces , is on. a big scale, although the fall in the price of wheat is to-day causing Canada ' concern, just as the drop in Value of wool .lias caused concern to New Zealand growers. Strong Imperial Sentiment. "One cannot fail to note behind loyalty to Canada and her progress and development, a strong Imperial sentiment in favour of the British Empire, which gives New Zealanders a great deal in common with the rcister Dominion," said Mr. Hogg. " During my visit the Canadian elections were in full swing, and the tariff issue was paramount in politics. The Liberal Party came out with, a very definite Empire preference policy, and its May Day Budget was expected to give to the United Kingdom nearly £60,000,000 worth of additional trade which previously went largely to the United States. The Canadian tariff was accepted generally as a splendid gesture of Imperial sentiment and Empire trade development. Neither Liberals lior Conservatives subscribe to the policy of complete Empire free trade, which is considered impracticable, and which would eliminate the protection required by the Dominion's industries. ■ t

Change at Elections. " The recent heavy increases in the United States tariff have caused strong resentment in Canada, and have provided a good weapon for Empire preference extension. Canada may be proud of the example she has set in thus granting increased Empire preference, and her action as the premier Dominion will point , the way to other sections of the Empire in the promotion of Empire trade, which , is now considered in Canada as well as in New Zealand to be vital to the future economic prosperity and .unity of the whole Empire. It is difficult to offer an explanation of the Liberal defeat in the recent Federal elections, but it would appear that the people of Canada just considered that a change of Government was desirable. They also laid the blame of unemployment at the door of the Government, in spite of the fact that unemployment, as in other countries, was brought about. by natural economic conditions. " The Conservative Party is strong for Canadian protection, and has also promised the country an immediate calling together gf hw Parliament to discuss unemployment. It is noilhticipated- that the change of Government will mean any drastic alteration' of Canada's policy either internally or toward 4he Empire."