TRADE WITH CANADA

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1931, Page 9

TRADE WITH CANADA

NEW ZEALAND’S POSITION.

COMING DAIRYING SEASON.

A plea for an early resumption of normal trade relations between New Zealand and Canada is contained in a letter, a copy of which has -been sent to all members of Parliament, from the Canadian British Traders’ Association of New Zealand. Among other tilings, tfte letter states: — 1 : “We most sincerely urge the New Zealand Government, as retaliation has failed, to re-open negotiations with the Canadian Government on a sound and mutually fair basis. Everyone ip admit that the Canadian Government is equally justified with the'New Zealand Government in giving its farmers reasonable protection, New Zealand hag for years protected her dairy, farmers by a duty on imported butter of 20 per cent., which last year was increased by the surtax of 9.4oths, New Zealand aho has very heavy tariffs against Canadian timber, wheat and flour, which tariffs have 'been increased from time to time,” . . After, reviewing evepts which led: 1,0 the present position, the letter states: 7 “This association, has pointed out all along thflt the. impression .that duty of 4 cents .per lb. on butter was prohibitive was incorrect. From information we have gathered, both in New Zealand and Canada, it is apparent that owing , to our butter being so definitely superior, and owing to the severity of the Canadian dpty "of 4' cepte ..pgr ,Ib. would nio.t few anything like a,-prohibitive tariff, fpgsjeukir.lyi;.in (.Canada's’ winter season, j,'. . . .7' .< ’-•*• • “It is interesting to note, from the new Canadian-Australian trade agreement that the duty on Australian butter entering Canada has - been' fixed at 5 cents per, lb., which obviously signifies, that Australia considers .<hpjean sell, her butter in Canada on this rate. “Both Hie Canadian and -the, New Zealand.. .Governments have, -undoubtedly, made, mistakes,, but noWbthat Australial has beaten us to ths,po&t,-Wffiurge that the past be forgotten. We make an urgent appeal to all interested parties and to the general public of New Zealand to do all in their power to see that fair consideration is extended both to New Zealand and Canadian* interests, and to urge our Cjoverppient. to call A trues on a mutually satisfactory temporary basis, apd then Open negotiations with the Canadian Government with a view to arranging a permanent trade agreement which-would be to the benefit of both Dominions. “It is essential to put an end to this tariff war, with its damaging effect and severe hardships. The New Zealand dairying season is now approaching, and also the Canadian winter. Therefore, unless some immediate action is taken, as Australia has now a preference over New Zealand, she will reap the benefit at New Zealand's, expense, and the New Zealand dairy farmer will miss the opportunity yof selling 'any butter to Canada during the. coming season.”