TREATY WITH CANADA

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1932, Page 7

TREATY WITH CANADA

SOME ADJUSTMENTS MADE.

EARLY STATEMENT EXPECTED.

■An early announcement is expected in New Zealand regarding the trade agreement between New Zealand and Canada.

In reply to a telegram forwarded by the Canadian-British Traders’ Association of New Zealand to the Minister of Customs, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, the Minister telegraphed as follows:— “Fully appreciate your difficulty, but as previously stated I have been ready to submit the trade agreement to Parliament ever since Parliament met, but the Canadian Government has been requesting variations, most of which I have adjusted satisfactorily. I have repeatedly cabled pointing out the grave dislocation of Canadian trading interests here and am hopeful that some finality will be reached at an early date.”

This telegram was considered at an executive meeting of the association and the opinion was expressed that the difficulty might be due to all Canadian manufactures not being replaced on the British preferential tariff. On this being referred to Mr. Stewart, he advised definitely that the delay was not due to this point, but that he could not advise further in the meantime. The meeting decided to again cable the Hon. H. H. Stevens, Minister of Trade and Commerce for Canada, pointing out the great distress being caused by the delay and urging him. to exert all pressure to expedite a settlement. It has since been'reported that the differences between the two Dominions have been narrowed down to one point and a cable is expected daily from the Canadian Government settling this matter. Immediately this cable is received, and providing everything is in order, it is understood the New Zealand Government will lose no time in submitting the trade agreement to Parliament for ratification.