IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1930, Page 9

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

NO FRESH DEVELOPMENT

INVESTIGATION AT HOME

BASIS FOR RECIPROCITY MINISTER’S STATEMENT British Wireless. Rec. 3.5 p.m Rugby, Dec. 2. The present position regarding the development of reciprocal, preferences with the Dominions was reviewed by the Secretary for Dominion Affairs, Mr. J. H. Thomas, in answers to a series of questions in the House of Commons. He said uo offer relating to (he sale of Canadian wheat in Britain on the basis of reciprocal preference had been made since the findings of the Imperial Conference had been published. The next stage was an investigation, which had already, been initiated by the Government, into the methods whereby it could be accomplished. In the case of wheat the obvious reciprocal agreement would be regarding coal, which he endeavoured to effect 15 months ago. Coal, .however, was also produced in Canada, which felt it necessary to put a tariff on soft coal.

Regarding Australia Mr. Thomas recalled a Speech at ,the conference in which the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Scullin, said Australia would be willing as part of a definite policy of Imperial economic cooperation to consult with the representatives of British manufacturers to the possibility of affording a greater degree of preference to certain goods without sacrificing any important Australian interests and of considering the representations of the inanufacturers for. getting full advantage of preferences. No exchange of views on the possibility .of developing reciprocal preferences with New Zealand had taken place since the conference closed and as to whether anything, could be done to take advantage of the New Zealand Prime Minister’s offer. * . Mr. Thomas recalled that when the possibilities of the quota were being examined the inquiry would start with meat, ’which applied mainly to Canada and Australia, and they would then consider what particular quota was applicable in the case of butter and cheese, in which New Zealand was mainly interested.