CANADIAN TRADE TREATY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21273, 29 August 1932, Page 8

CANADIAN TRADE TREATY

With the Comptroller of Customs, Dr. Craig, oil his homeward way from the Ottawa Conference, it is natural to speculate whether anything was done while it was sitting to shape and polish the trade treaty made earlier in the year by Canada and New Zealand. The cable news on the point was scanty, though there was mention of the treaty having been further discussed. When it was concluded, it was expected that Ottawa would bring opportunity for revision. Presenting the draft treaty to the House of Representatives in April, Mr. Downie Stewart said: "In view of the approaching Imperial Conference to be held at Ottawa, both Governments have decided that the agreement is to remain in force only for one year, and it is understood between us that the whole sub*ject will be reconsidered in the light of decisions to be reached there." Mr. Stewart referred further to the fact that Canadian goods had not been placed wholly upon the British preferential tariff by the agreement, though New Zealand had been accustomed in the past to accord the same rate of preference to the whole Empire. There were, however, certain exceptions in the case of some Australian goods which, for special reasons, were not accorded full British preference. A similar departure from policy had been made with Canada because it was considered that the whole position should be fully discussed at Ottawa with representatives from the United Kingdom and Canada, and, if necessary, from other parts of the Empire. It was announced from Ottawa that an agreement had been made there by New Zealand and South Africa, between whom reciprocal tariff relations have existed since 1907. What variations, if any, have been effected in the newly concluded Canadian treaty has not even been vaguely indicated. This is natural if, as seems probable, there have been detailed changes in rates or items affected. Such things can only be divulged in Parliament, and must be given effect immediately by resolution. The possibility of their existing lends an edge to curiosity about what still remains to be told concerning the Ottawa agreements when the delegates are home again.