CANADA AND DOMINION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 147, 24 June 1931, Page 7

CANADA AND DOMINION

THE TARIFF QUESTION. MR FORBES STANDS FIRM. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 23. Representatives of commercial interests operating between New Zealand and Canada interviewed the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes today, stating that they vicwcu with concern the present tariff position between the two countries. They asked that with the object of allowing undelivered contracts to bo completed, Canada be placed forthwith upon the British preferential tariff ruling prior to August 20, 1930, for a period sufficient to enable negotiations for a reciprocal tariff to be arranged. Mr Forbes replied that Canada had not approached New Zealand in a spirit of reciprocity ami New Zealand had no alternative but to retaliate. The Government considered that the soundest basis of trading was to buy in the market, where goods were sold and we were not going to buy from Canada, because Canada was not prepared to take our butter. The Canadian duty on butter had been raised without warning, and no attempt had been made by Canada to enter into negotiations for a reciprocal arrangement. Tho Government was still prepared to meet. Canada in order to place trade on a friendly basis once more. Ho hoped that Canada would show’ the same o spirit. So far Canada had not met them in any way.