TRADE WITH CANADA.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16152, 29 November 1924, Page 5

TRADE WITH CANADA.

NEW ZEALAND’S TARIFF. MANUFACTURERS’ CONTENTIONS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) OTTAWA, November 28. The Canadian Government is satisfied with the progress of negotiations concerning the change in the New Zealand tariff. Certain manufacturers, however, take occasion to deny the accuracy of the assertion that the majority of the Canadian motor car plants would be adversely affected by the 75 per cent, duty and the Canadian labour requirement. The manufacturers say that eight makes of Canadian cars would be able to meet the proposed conditions. The Government, however, replies that only one make of car would strictly qualify under them. To this the manufacturers retort that the remainder would also qualify if they adopted the policy of the company referred to by the GovernmentNevertheless New Zealand’s proposal is generally regarded as extreme, but it is the opinion that a maximum duty of 50 per cent. wr.uM actually bo beneficial to certain manufacturers. It is suggested that this ratio would benefit the paper and the fish industries, and would not impose excessive hardships on other branches of commerce.

A cablegram from Ottawa recently said: —The New Zealand and Canadan Governments arc exchanging messages regarding the proposed change in the New Zealand tariff, which hitherto has allowed preferential treatment on Canadian manufacturers if one-quarter of their total value were created by Canadian labour. New Zealand is now seeking to increase the proportion to 75 per cent., which motor car manufacturers here assert would adversely affect, Canadian preferential trade. They declare that the majority of Canadian motor car factories are asassembling plants, which import, much manufactured steel from the United States. Similar protests are being lodged by manufacturers of steel products. notably agricultural implements, which wonld also he handle,anpod. The Canadian Government regards hopefully the. prospect of securing the desired modification.