CANADA AND BRITAIN

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

CANADA AND BRITAIN

RECIPROCAL programme OFFERS AND CONCESSIONS HIGH EXPECTATIONS HELD By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright OTTAWA, Aug. 4 It is officially announced that the Canadian delegates met the British delegates and placed before them the Dominion's two-way proposals. It is stated on behalf of the Canadian Government that the proposals were distinct and clear-cut and were cordially received It is estimated that under the proposed re-arrangement Canada would purchase between £20,000,000 and £40,000,000 worth of additional British manufactures. She expects to increase her exports to Britain by a similar amount. Canada asks for increased preference in some cases, also with quotas on wheat, lumber, meat, bacon, fish, butter, cheese, metals, vegetables, fruit, live cattle, copper, zinc, lead and nickel. On the other hand, Canada has submitted a list containing some hundreds of commodities on which she is prepared to offer greater preferences, and some articles would bo placed on the free list. The largest group of British manufactures which would be given preferences consists of iron and steel goods. Jsext in importance aro chemicals, anthracite coal, leather, electrical goods, brassware, glassware and a huge miscellaneous list. Canada last year imported 890,000 tons of anthracite coal. Britain May Restrict Russian Imports It is announced that textiles would not bo heavily involved in the new preferences, but more favourable treatment, would be given to some British textilo i lines which Canada is not largely manu- , facturing. Canada last year imported £40,000,000 worth of iron and steel goods, of which only 10 per cent were British, the balance being mostly from the United States. Normally, her iron imports were £70,000,000 before the depression. Hinting that Britain will agree to restrict Russian imports to the benefit of Canadian wheat, lumber and fish, and Australian and New Zealand wheat and butter, one spokesman pointed out that Britain last year imported £30,000,000 worth of Soviet goods. Britain sold Russia only £10,000,000 worth. The latter figure is even given as low as £7,000,000. Britain s purchases from Russia consisted chieflj of goods which the Dominions could supply. The Canadian Ministers were informed that Britain probably would raise the preference on Canadian lumber against Russian from 10 to 20 per cent. This has caused the greate'st pleasure in Canadian circles, although it is not yet officially confirmed. It would mean a rapid revival of Canada's timber industry, which is now in the doldrums. The New Zealand and Australian delegates when crossing the continent saw scores of idle sawmills. Probable Preference on Wheat A further important anticipation, also not officially announced, is that Britain is prepared, to grant the Dominions 12jr per cent preference on wheat. The delegates are still discussing quotas in both cases. It is considered likely that Britain will impose some restriction on the imports of Russian timber. The British delegates have not yet responded with definite 'proposals to Canada. The spokesman at the evening press interview modified the morning estirnato of the value of the concessions Canada was offering to Britain, stating that the figures £20,000,000 to £40,000,000 must not be regarded as official, but merely as a rough estimate, indicating the possible growth of trade. Actually, no figures were mentioned in Canada's proposals to Britain. Tobacco is included in the commodities on which Canada is seeking increased preference. , An American journalist, likening the proceedings to a poker game, asked : AN ill Britain open a jackpot ? The spokesman replied: Both .will come in and both will draw cards. (Laughter.) MARKETING BOARD VALUE TO THE DOMINIONS PLEA FOR ITS RETENTION OTTAWA, Aug. 4 A meeting of 50 representatives of the Empire primary producers, at which Mr. D. Jones, New Zealand, presided, received and adopted reports of sub-com-mittees on meat, butter, fruit, wine, tobacco and sugar, which have been presented to the Dominion delegations, and in some instances have already reached the British delegation. Mr. Nicholls, South Africa, moved and Mr. 11. W. Osborne, Australia, seconded the following motion ' "We record our conviction tnat the Empire Marketing Board has rendered valuable service to scientific progress, and to the orderly and economic marketing of Empire agricultural products. * "We would regard the disappearance o the board as a calamity to the Empire producers. We trust the Governments represented at Ottawa will evolve a plan not only to ensure the maintenance of the board but also to enable it to increasejts activities both in research and also in tho commercialised realm by creating the will to buy Empire products by means of advertising and propaganda. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. L. S. Amery, formerly Secretary of State for the Dominions, and Mr. R. S. Forsyth, London manager of the New Zealand Meat Board, who are members of ! the Marketing Board, described its recent activities, particularly those of its three I committees of publicity, research and ! marketing. The resolution is to be submitted to the conference in view of the projected discussion as to whether the Marketing Board should not be absorbed into the proposed body, tentatively called the Imperial Economic General Staff, with larger functions. The board was formed four or five years ago when Mr. Baldwin allocated £1,000,000 to help Empire trade. The yearly cost has averaged £600,000. The questions will ariso whether Britain will continue to bear the expense and whether tho Dominions will make contributions to the board's research work in investigating soils, grasses, pests and carriage of fruit, and also the organising of tho "Buy Empire" displays throughout Britain. Ihese are regarded as of inestimable value to the Dominions.