TRADE WITH CANADA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 7

TRADE WITH CANADA

THE DUTY ON BUTTER ME BENNETT’S STATEMENT OTTAWA, Juno 25. The Government of Australia has desired that the s atement in respect of the agreement be released simultaneously, and as soon as copies reach their destinations there will be nu delay. The Hon. W. D. Fuller (Liberal) questioned tho Premier on the Press report, quoting the Premier (Hon. G. W. Forbes) that Now Zealand was willing to negotiate an agreement with. Canada, but no developments had occurred. Mr Bennett said he did not know whether ho coulu speak without consultiug documents, but he might say that onu of his first expediences on taking office was die receipt of a message from New Zealand addressed to the Primo Minister, and that at that time it was apparently meant for Mr MacKenzio King. In that cable strenuous objection was taken to the cancellation of tho agreement under which New Zealand butter came into Canada. Afterwards certain steps taken by tho Prime Minister of New Zealand made it less easy for Canadian goods to enter after the tariff was raised. Tho matter was discussed with Mi Forbes in Ottawa. The latter repre seated the attitude of New Zealand, which was the same then as recently expressed in the Press. The suggestion had been made that uno of the Canadian Ministers might go to New Zealand and one of New Zealand’s Ministers come to Canada. Bome Boards of Trade and Chambers of Commerce had interested themselves, but in every instance the same difficulty arose in respect of butter.

Tho Government had como to no decision with regard to sending a Minister, but it was under consideration.

Mr MacKenzio King said that the cable message tho Premier referred to was in answer to ono sent to Mr Forbes, in which it was stated that tho duty against New Zealand butter would bo four cents a pound, pending a revision of the agreement when Afr Forbes w r as on route to tho Imperial Conference. On the day Afr Forbos arrived the duty against New Zea land butter had increased from four cents to eight cents and Afr Forbes said afterwards that tho door had been slammed in New Zealand’s face. Afr Bennett said he did not agree with all the statements of Afr King. So far as raising tho di ty from four to eight i.nts, the record was there. “Wo raised tho duty because we thought we owed a duty to Canadian butter-producers rather than to New Zealand producers.” CANADA AND AUSTRALIA. THE NEW AGREEMENT. OTTAWA, June 25. Tho terms of tho trade agreement between Canada and Australia will prob ably bo announced in the House on July 8. Air R. B. Bennett announced to-day when stating that Canada had signed the agreement which had been mailed to Australia. Tho latter had executed an agreement which had also been mailed to Canada. These would roach their destination probably on July 5 or 6 and a statement would bo possible shortly afterwards.