OTTAWA CONFERENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21254, 6 August 1932, Page 9

OTTAWA CONFERENCE

TRADE OF EMPIRE FRUITGROWERS' INTERESTS THE beitish maeket CLOSE peeiod wanted plea foe peefeeence Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 5, 6.55 p.m.) OTTAWA. Auk. 4 Unanimous proposals by growers of apples and pears in the Dominions have been presented to the British delegation through the leaders of the respective delegations. They are as follows: That the Dominions should receivo Sb a cwt. preference over foreign imports. (2) A close period in the British market against foreign fruits between March 15 and August. 15 each year. The fruib advisers of the Dominions pointed out that this close period would qive foreigners amplo time to market v their fruit, in reasonably fresh condition, but would preclude them from loading the British market with stored fruit which would necessarily deteriorate and Jose its appeal to the public taste. The growers also proposed a similar tariff, plus seasonal restrictions, on citrus fruits. The New Zealand and Australian fruit experts consider that these proposals would stabilise values at a fraction above cost, which would enable the producers to east pending an improvement in world prices. Then they should make a satisfactory margin. EMPIRE'S BALLY determined to progress WORLD'S BAFFLING PROBLEMS (Received August 5, 8.55 p.m.) OTTAWA. Aug. 4 The Ottawa Board of Trade entertained the industrial advisers of the various Dominions at a banquet this evening. The Minister of Trade and Commerce, Mr. H. H. Stevens, said that 18 years ago to-day the Empire entered the Great [War. Now it was wiser but poorer. New economic warfare had been raging for the past two years, involving changed methods of world trade, strange factors and bailing problems.

The Ottawa Conference declared to the world that the British Empire had decided to " get on with the job." The British Empiie was on the march. It had rallied, and was determined to move forward. They had been given a magnificent lead, by the Mother Country in converting her enormous war loan at a reduced / rate of interest. Mr. Sam McKay (Australia) expressed the delegates' appreciation of the lavish hospitality of Canada. He eulogised Mr. Stevens for arranging the treaty with Australia, and said both countries were benefiting from it. He hoped the revisit now proceeding would result in a still closer trade relationship. Seeing that Australia had deflated her currency now was the time for a Canadian visit to Australia, where 100 Canadian dollars were worth 150. Mr. McKay explained that the Australian farmer today must sell two bushels of wheat to obtain the same value as for one bushel formerly. Australia looked to the Ottawa conference to make the necessary adjustment. . Sir Alan Anderson (Britain) said the world was suffering from plenty. There vas such a flooding of products that everybody was wondering how to sell, 1 " yet people were starving. He hoped ' Ottawa would mean a step forward, but perhaps it would be necessary to hold further conferences in the next few years. Mr. John Bassett, vice-president of the Montreal Gazette, in a humorous speech, Viid- "Farmers and industrialists have the same policy. When they are not appealing to the Government for assistance they are engaged in watering their stock.' AUSTRALIA'S TROUBLE LOWER PURCHASING POWER DEALINGS WITH BRITAIN OTTAWA. Aus. 4 Mr S M. Bruce says he cannot give an estimate in figures of the concessions Australia is offering to Britain. The strength of Australia's case lies in the record of her purchases from Britain, and the enormously increased trade which is assured as soon as purchasing power re turns. Australia at the height of hei prosperity bought £61,000,000 worth of goods a year from Britain. This was reduced bv the depression to about £20,000,000. Australia's purchases from Britain rose from £24,000,000 in 1907 to £61,000,000 :/ in 1927, indicating the value of Australia's trade in prosperous times. During that period Australia greatly expanded her secondary industries. Her indus ria expansion dicl not prejudicially affect ne purchases from Britain. Mr. Bruce said tha whole trouble was the serious fall in Australia s purchasing H