GOOD PROGRESS

Southland Times, Issue 21771, 28 July 1932, Page 7

GOOD PROGRESS

OTTAWA PARLEY CANADIAN PROGRAMME CONCESSIONS PROMISED FRIENDLY DISCUSSIONS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Ottawa, July 26. An authoritative survey of Canada’s conference programme, regarding which the utmost optimism persists, indicates that she is in an excellent position to make a fair deal with Britain by balancing the concession given with grants received. The newspapers are straying from the truth in hinting that Canada is not facing the conference with a united front. Mr Bennett is thoroughly grateful for the progress made, and docs not contemplate any possibility of failure. Canada’s position regarding wheat is not yet finalized. The farmers, following the action of their wheat pool in holding stocks since 1929 with disastrous results, have consistently urged a preference, plus the quota, against foreign wheat, and there now appears to have been a last-minute change in the farmers’ attitude, bringing them into line with Australia’s views. Although they have definitely not been influenced by the Australians here, the farmers realize that in view of the fact that Canada and Australia produce double the quantity of wheat Britain imports, it is almost impossible to devise a helpful scheme. Mr Bennett, however, has pledged himself to support the Canadian farmers, and will still discuss with the conference whether Canadian wheat can be assisted. Nevertheless the most likely sequel is that Canada will be content to range herself with Australia in urging Britain to show a more favourable purchasing attitude to Canadian and Australian that to Russian wheat. Canada is also vitally interested like Australia in protecting the timber trade against Russian dumping, especially as the recent United States tariff has aggravated the slump in the Canadian lumber industry. American Forecast. United States newspapers predict that as a result of an Ottawa arrangement Canada will reduce her anthracite coal purchases from the United States by 25 per cent, under a plan whereby Canada is seeking to extend her timber market in Britain n exchange for purchasing large quantities of British coal. Canada in 1931 imported 2,903,000 tons of anthracite, of which the United States supplies 1,966,000 tons and Britain 871.000. Canada is further interested in copper, cheese and to a lesser degree in butter because she cannot compete with New Zealand and Australia for quality. Canada has co-operated during the last few days in the Empire butter proposals which are likely to be conceded in a slightly amended form, although a final decision has been postponed until a later stage when the bargaining on the whole range of commodities will become co-ordinated. Copper and cheese have not yet been discussed. There is considerable speculation as to the extent of the concessions Canada will give British manufacturers. Increasing importance is attached to Mr Bennett’s opening statement that “those Canadian industries in the world’s markets must support adjustments with Britain because of the great advantage obtainable for exporters of natural products.” Mr Bennett has already emerged as Canada’s strong man, and in view of this unequivocal statement it is expected that he will succeed in convincing the secondary industries that they must be satisfied with a smaller measure of protection. The Currency Committee met and appointed Mr H. H. Stevens (Canada) as its chairman. It was decided that all the delegation leaders should on Thursday review the present currency and exchange position of the respective countries, subsequently referring the questions to special sub-committees for preliminary examination. The Meat Committee held its first meeting and discussed the world situation. Question of Empire Content. Mr Bruce and Mr Downie Stewart respectively were entrusted with the preparation of a survey of Australian and New Zealand currency and exchange problems. Mr E. C. Riddle, Governor of the Commonwealth Bank, and Professor Melville are assisting Mr Bruce in the later stages. Fruit comes up for consideration tomorrow, when Mr N. C. Havenga (South Africa) will preside over the Inter-Dominion Fruit Committee. The Number One Committee preliminarily considered the subject of Empire content concerning either labour or materials and referred the matter to a sub-committee for further examination. The comparative advantages of a high Empire content with exceptions upward were examined by the Number One Committee, which decided to adjourn while the sub-committee is at work and informal negotiations are proceeding. The object is to obtain unanimity and simplicity regarding a content arrangement for Empire countries. At present Britain requires generally 25 per cent. Empire content, Canada 50 per cent., Australia 75 per cent, New Zealand 50 per cent, and South Africa and the Free State 25 per cent, all with the exception of certain articles. Mr H. S. Gullett (Australia) and Mr Downie Stewart to-day continued their deliberations with British Ministers, outlining the scope of possible Australian and New Zealand concessions. “There is no foundation for a report published in the New York Times that Britain has rejected Mr Bruces and Mr Bennett’s plea for an embargo on Russian dumping. Britain has given no major decision on any questions. The conference negotiations throughout have been frank and friendly, and there have been no dissensions, although naturally some differences of opinion. SUGAR PRODUCERS COLONIAL AND DOMINION. EQUAL TREATMENT SOUGHT. (Rec. 7.0 p.m.) . July 26. The sugar question will shortly be discussed. There is a unanimous feeling among Empire producers, both dominion and colonial, that the differentiation whereby colonial s receives 20/- a ton more than dominion in the British market should be abolished, giving equality. The West Indies, Mauritius and Fiji agree thait the present arrangement is imsatisiactory. Australia and South Africa are the only dominions concerned. One of the next items for discussion will be the problem of c °™P etl | l X? Pacific shipping which Canada, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia will consider with Britain with a view to Amending the maritime law to prevent

American lines competing between British ports. The Ministers entertained Mr Bennett at a dinner at the Chateau Laurier and informally discussed a wide range of subjects. The delegates at midnight attended a private screening of a talkie film of the opening of the conference. The audience was amused at a technical error of the announcer, who says that “Mr Bruce will speak next.” Instead the camera is focussed on Mr Coates addressing the chamber. Australia has been completely censorecL