GROWING TENSION AND EXPECTANCY AT OTTAWA

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 21, 17 August 1932, Page 5

GROWING TENSION AND EXPECTANCY AT OTTAWA

BRITISH AND CANADIAN DELEGATES ENDEAVOUR TO SOLVE DIFFICULTIES POSITION REGARDING PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES Duty and Quantitative Restriction on Foreign Butter Press Association. —Copyright. Received To-day, 8.55 a.m. OTTAWA, Tuesday. THERE is an atmosphere of growing tension and expectancy inasmuch as according to the British official prediction, today should be the Conference's last working session, allowing to-morrow for the work of the compilation of reports and also for the preparation of delegates' statements at Thursday's plenary session.

The British and Canadian delegates again spent the whole morning endeavouring to thrash out their difficulties and the Australians and New Zealanders are resuming discussion on the meat problem. The present position regarding the principal commodities is as follows: —Meat: Australia and New Zealand are urging quantitative restrictions on Argentine beef and also a duty. Britain may yield a small quota and the bargain may involve the scrapping of the duty proposals. Wheat: A preference of two shilling a quarter is probable. The Australian view is that any preference is not of great value.

It would help the Canadian farmers slightly. Fruit: A preference, plus a six months' (dosed season in the London market against foreign fruit will probably be granted. Dairy products: It is anticipated there will be no British objection to the proposed duties plus quantitative restrictions on foreign butter. It is expected Britain will increase the preference on lumber 10 to 20 per cent.. but Canada, in addition, demands a restriction upon Russia. The quota likewise is urged by Canada and Australia as (lie best method of dealing with the wheat situation, but Britain at present is reluctan to consent.