CANADIAN TIMBER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20966, 4 March 1930, Page 13

CANADIAN TIMBER.

VISIT OF DELEGATION. ADDRESS TO CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. / Mr J. H. M’Donald, Mr J, Gr. Robson, and Major Andrews, a delegation from Canada in the interests of the lumber trade of that country, arrived in Dunedin last evening, and at the Chamber of Commerce meeting in the University Club rooms at a later hour Mr M'Donald gave an address in which he, briefly sketched the object of the delegation in coining to New Zealand.

Mr A. H. Allen (president of the chamber) welcomed the delegation. He said the purpose of the visit by the delegation was to push the trade and products of their country under a reclpiwal arrangement between the Governments of Canada and New Zealand. The visitors were particularly interested in timber.

-Mi- M Donald said the delegates had been sent to New Zealand and other places by the Provincial Government of British Columbia to look into the markets of this land and other countries, which might lead to, a reciprocal arrangement between the two Governments. AII countries, he said, were raising tariff barriers. This was causing no small amount of concern to those"engaged in merchandise. Like New Zealand, Punadwas a country which was now 60 per cent, farming and 40 per cent, industrial. Canada was particularly interested in preference to the British Empire, and as far back as IS9B the then Premier (Sir Wilfrid LaurSar) gave a preference of 7$ per cent, to Britain Later Parliaments had increased the ratio until it now stood at 35 per cent, plus 10 per cent., yet no quid pro quo had been sought. New Zealand’s trade to Canada had increased daring the 1929 fiscal year by 54 per cent, over the figures .or the previous ye-.r. That showed that the Canadian market was looked upon -is a potential market. Last year Canada purchscd 24.000,0001 b of New Zealand butter. The lumber group was the second largest group in Canada, and it Teas therefore particularly interested in trade with New Zealand.' Although preference was given to timber products Canaoa did not enjoy a preferential u Zealand on its timber. Mr M Donald quoted the wide divergence in the tariff rates on New Zealand producs by Canada and the United States. Big tariffs were imposed by the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Islands were 1 on the same line of trade, and many thought an economic conference should be held anion" those countries to discuss the encouragement of trade between them. By giving subsidies to the Pacific steamer services tiie Lnited States was developing a mercantile marine, and Mr McDonald appealed for the support of British ships in the carrying of trade merchandise. The president made a brief reply and the delegates then retired The members of the delegation will leaic Dunedin this morning.