CANADIAN TARIFF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19497, 4 June 1925, Page 9

CANADIAN TARIFF

A REVISION DESIRABLE

AN OPPOSITION AMENDMENT.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

OTTAWA, June 2. The Opposition Leader (Mr A. Meighen), in the House of Commons, moved a resolution containing the essential articles of the Conservative platform as an amendment to a motion to go into committee-of-supply. The resolution asks the House to amnn that Canada, in view of world conditions, requires an immediate revision of her tariff on a definitely protective basis, Regarding Empire Preference, tiie resolution, while admitting the principle, declares that goods should be brought in thi’ough Canadian ports, but only when such iinporta do not interfere with the prosperity of the Canadian working men. It also asks for the appointment of a Tanif Commission.—Reuter.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH AUSTRALIA, ’OTTAWA, June 2. (Received Juno 3, at 7.5 p.m.)

The Australian agreement is now one of the chief subjects of discussion in political circles. It is felt that the Australian representative, Mr Ross, will have barely time to complete his negotiations for the matter to be dealt with during the present session of .Parliament, and reports are being widely circulated hero that if the matter is not dealt with this session there is a possibility that Australia will withdraw from the negotiations. It is now generally admitted that the 1 5 per cent, clause does not furnish the real hitch which was caused by the western farmers, who constitute the Progressive Party, and who, while freetraders in principle, nevertheless resent a reduction in the protection on agricultural products which the agreement concedes to Australia, and have served notice on the Government that they will not accept the agreement under those conditions. It is understood that Mr Ross will carry proposals to the Australian Government v.nich will secure to Australia all 1' c reductions on agricultural products.—-V. and N.Z. Cable.

PREETRADE PRINCIPLES,

MR MEIGHEN'S VIEWS,

OTTAWA, June 2,

Mr Meighen stated that freetra.de might possibly be acceptable if all nations abandoned their efforts to spread themselves throughout the universe, but even if the nations agreed that natural law should operate ho was doubtful whether freetrade would he a success so far as Canada was concerned. It was better that each nation should sec to it that diversification of industry was maintained within its own borders. If labour were a purchaseable commodity in the world markets to which all industries had access, then free competition might be possible. Labour conditions in the United States were immediately reflected in Canada, and if the latter did not respond Canadian labour would always drift to the country, where higher wages wore obtainable.— and N.Z. Cable.