TRADE AND COMMERCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5, 6 January 1914, Page 2

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

A CANADIAN INTERVIEWED. IBt Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] London, January L Mr G E. Poster, Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce, when interviewed, said that informal negotiations for preference between Canada and Australia have progressed favorably, but the change of Government precluded a definite arrangement. Sentiment in Australia favored preference, and the great majority of Canadians, continued Mr Foster, approved the Government naval measure and it remained to be seen what action would be taken on the re-assembling of the Canadian Parliament on January Id. Mr Foster stated that he was especially impressed with the general great interest taken by Australians and New Zealanders in defence measures. It was plain, despite everything which had been said to the contrary, that the principle of universal service /had sunk deeply into the minds of the people and was being successfully carried out. The disciplinary result, both morally and physically, was one great advantage of the system. Both Australia and i New ( Zealand were justly proud of their young fleets’. ’ 1 Mr Foster emphasised the evidence of the great growth and prosperity of Australia and New Zealand. Their chief lack, he said, was population, lie added that both Australia and New Zealand form a splendid nucleus of a British people thoroughly Imperial in their sentiments, intensely proud of their past achievements and intensely hopeful of the future.