MUTUAL TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22404, 28 April 1936, Page 16

MUTUAL TRADE

LINKING DOMINIONS CANADA AND AUSTRALIA CLOSER UNDERSTANDING The opinion that it was essential for Canada, Australia and New Zealand to know more about onu another than in the past, and to have an unci erstanding of each other's problems, was expressed yesterday by Colonel L. M.. Cosgrave, Canadian Trade Commissiorter in Australia, who it} a through p. avenger to Vancouver by the Aorangi. The three Dominions should rsaliso how much they had in common and tha:t present difficulties were capable of being solved by closer contact. Colonel Coiigrave, who hais &;pent 15 months in Australia, has beon busy gaining a knowledge i of the problems confronting the diffei est States, and he hopes to put the information he has acquired before the Canadian 1 people. He will return to Australia afyout the end of the year. From the trade sta idpoint vei;y happy relations existed between Canaida and Australia, he said, aad he had '.received every assistance from the Government and business men i.x Australia in his efforts to promote an even better understanding. During tho past year Canadian trade with Australia had increased more than 30 per cent, and Australian trade with Canada 3.7 per cent. It was hoped that closer contact would cause a further increase. Australia's adverse trade balance with Canada was receivirg the attention of the Governments of both countries, he said. Every effort iras being made in Canada to aissist in ;orrecting the position. A practical example was the change in the type of machinery used in the manufacture of fine sugar, which had resulted in a wider use of Australian sugar in Cai.ada. Again, it was thought that more mutual knowledge would tend automatically to adjust the situation. Australia was now Canada's third best customer, having replaced the Eastern countries. Prior to his appointment in Australia Colonel Cosgrave wa > for 11 years representative of Canadian interests Jn China, with headquarters at Shanghai. "I am still a complete optimist regarding the future of China," he said, "and I am convinced that it will solve its difficulties." The change from an absolute monarchy to an advanced republic was a very big one, but a fine type of young statesman ani business man was coming to the fore in the country. He considered China irould come to an understanding with Japan.