CONCESSIONS BY CANADA

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1932, Page 7

CONCESSIONS BY CANADA

REQUESTS FROM BRITAIN CORDIAL RECEPTION GIVEN INCREASED MUTUAL TRADE l \ HOPES FOR PREFERENCES By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Ottawa, Aug. 4. It is officially announced that the Canadian delegation met the British delegation and placed before it the Dominion’s two-way proposals. It is stated on behalf of the Canadian Government that, the proposals, which are distinct and clear-cut, were cordially received. It is estimated that under the proposed re-arrangement Canada will purchase between £20,‘000.000 and £40,009,000 worth! of additional British manufactures. Canada expects an increase in her exports to Britain of a similar amount. Canada asks for increased preference in some cases, also for quotas on Wheat, lumber, meat, bacon, fish, butter, cheese, metals, vegetables, fruit, live cattle, copper, zinc, lead and nickel. On the other hand, Canada has submitted a list containing some hundreds of commodities on which' it is prepared to offer greater preferences. Some articles are to be placed on the free list. The largest group of British manufactures which will be given preference consists of iron and steel goods, and the next in importance are chemicals, anthracite coal, leather, electrical goods, brass ware, glassware and a huge miscellaneous list. Canada last year imported 890,000 tons of anthracite coal. It is announced that textiles will not be heavily involved in the new preferences, but more favourable treatment will be given some British textile lines which Canada is not largely manufacturing. • • Canada last year imported £40,000,000 worth of iron and steel goods, of which only 10 per cent, was British, the balance being mostly from the United States. Normally iron imports were £70,000,000 before the depression. LUMBER INDUSTRY PLEASED. The Canadian Ministers have been informed that Britain will probably raise the preference for Canadian against Russian lumber from 10 to 20 per cent. This- has caused the greatest pleasure in Canadian circles, is not yet officially confirmed. It would mean a rapid revival of Canada’s timber industry, now in the doldrums. Crossing the continent the delegates, from Australia and New Zealand saw scores of idle sawmills. A further important anticipation, likewise not officially announced, is that Britain is prepared to grant the Dominions 12J pc'r cent, preference on wheat. The delegates are still discussing quotas in both cases, and it is considered likely that Britain will impose some restriction on imports of Russian timber. ■ I ' . Although it is obvious to everyone that Canada’s domestic difficulties have prevented Cabinet framing a programme at an earlier stage, the actual conference proceedings have not been inconvenienced, there being plenty of other work to be tackled. Now Canada has come tardily into line. ■ The official spokesman said to-day that the British delegation had assured Canadians that they have not held up the conference. Thus harmony reigns and mutual efforts are proceeding smoothly and rapidly, with important tangible results looming next week.' A later message states that, hinting that Britain will agree to restrict Russian imports.to the benefit of Canadian wheat, lumber .and fish, and Australian and New Zealand wheat and butter, the spokesman pointed out that Britain last year imported £30,000,000 worth 6f Soviet goods, 'but Britain sold Russia only £10,000,000 worth. This figure was even given as low as £7,000,O r 'T. Britain’s Russian purchases consisted chiefly of goods which the Dominions were able to supply. The British have not yet responded with — - mite proposals to Canada. THE EMPIRE “JACK POT.” An American journalist, likening the proceedings to a poker game, asked: “Will Britain open a jack pot?” The spokesman replied: “Both will come in. and both will draw cards.” (Laughter.) The Anglo-India negotiations have made good progress, and it is empha’sised that / all the conference negotiations are going- “exceedingly well, with no ill-feeling and dissentions, and with perfect friendliness and cordiality.” A sub-committee has further considered the monetary problems. The spokesman at the evening Press interview modified his morning estimate of the value of the concessions Canada is offering Britain, stating that tl>e figures £20,000,000 and £40,000,000 must not be regarded officially but were merely a rough estimate, indicating the possible growth of trade. Actually no figures had been mentioned in Canada’s proposals to Britain. Tobacco was included in the commodities on which Canada was seeking increased preference. The currency committee, which is discussing the facts of the Dominions’ positions, is not yet fonniilating remedies. '■'*