RECIPROCAL TRADE

Southland Times, Issue 21428, 24 June 1931, Page 7

RECIPROCAL TRADE

CANADA AND NEW ZEALAND. UNFRIENDLY FEELING. (Per United Preps Association.) Wellington, June 23. Representatives of commercial interests operating between New Zealand and Canada interviewed Mr Forbes to-day, stating that they viewed with concern the present tariff position between the two countries. They asked, with the object of allowing undelivered contracts to be completed, that Canada be placed forthwith upon the British preferential tariff ruling prior to August 20, 1930, for a period sufficient to enable negotiations for a reciprocal tariff to be arranged. Mr .Forbes replied that Canada had not approached New Zealand in a spirit of reciprocity and New Zealand had no alternative but to retaliate. The Government considered that the soundest basis of trading was to buy in a market where our goods were sold, and we were not going to buy from Canada because Canada was unprepared to take our butter. Die Canadian duty on butter had been raised without warning and no attempt had been made by Canada to enter into negotiations for a reciprocal arrangement. The Government was still prepared to meet Canada in order to place trade on a friendly basis once more. He hoped Canada would show the same spirit. So far Canada had not met them in any way.