AUSTRALIA AND CANADA

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1927, Page 7

AUSTRALIA AND CANADA

RELATIONS DISCUSSED. : 'PREFERENCE FOR BRITISH MR. BRUCE' AT MONTREAL By Telegraph—Press Astm.—t'opysigliil.. Ottawa, Jan. 2. Mr. Bruce and his party arrived at Montreal in a snowstorm and extremely cold weather. They were immediately taken to Mr. Thornton’s home for breakfast. The Prime Minister received the press shortly afterwards, answering questions for an hour or more. Canadian pressmen showed great interest in the internal development of Australia and in the trade relations existing between the Commonwealth and the Dominion. Mr. Bruce expressed the belief that the Canadian-Australian treaty was functioning beneficially, but that the true value of such an arrangement would be more clearly discernible over a period of years. He intimated that the treaty was pointing the way to similar arrangements between all the Dominions. Mr. Bruce was asked whether Australia objected to Canadian goods :eceiving an Australian preference if they were made in industries financed by American capital. Mr. Bruce replied that there was no objection to American capital in ahis connection, and the provision made in reference to the percentage of British labour entering goods and receiving the preference was to assure two particular objects; firstly, the general idea of preference to British goods as such, and secondly, that no matter what was the source of the finance behind a certain industry, whether British, American, or otherwise, there was a benefit accruing to a British country if the labour entering into the manufacture of goods was British. ' This was at once the principal purpose of the treaty, and to permit only a small percentage of British labour in goods receiving preference in Australia, would defeat this purpose. Questioned' as to whether there was any likelihood of an early appointment of an Australian Commissioner in Canada with a view to mutually augmenting trade, Mr. Bruce replied that Australia was anxious to further in every possible way trade relationships between the two countries and, while in Canada, he would learn what the sentiment was in reference to the appointment of such a representative. Received Jan. 3, 8.39 p.m. Ottawa, Jan. 2.

Mr. S. M. Bruce, arriving in Canada, was met by Mr. Mackenzie King and a representative of the Governor-General. He was taken to Government House for a private dinner. He speaks to-morrow at a Government dinner and at a Canadian Club luncheon. He will confer with the Government with regard to the possible early appointment of an‘Australian Trade Commissioner to Canada.