CANADA'S TRADE

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17751, 1 July 1929, Page 10

CANADA'S TRADE

MR BENNETT’S CRITICISM

MINISTERIAL REPLY. BUSINESS WITH UNITED STATES. (By Telegraph.— Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian Press Assoclaiiuu. OTTAWA, June 28. Speaking at Tara (Ontario), the Minister of Trade and Commerce,' Hon. James Malcolm, said it' the changes made in the United States tariff were found detrimental to the interests of Canada, alterations in the Canadian tariff stricture to correct the situation would unquestionably be made.

Answering the criticism of the Government’s tariff policy by the Conservative leader, Mr Bennett, on his Ontario tour, he said: “The Gocernrtient is much more alive to the siluatfon than the Leader bf the Opposition, and is fully prepared, in the interests of Canada, to readjust its fiscal policy from time to time to meet any changes that may take place in the tariff structure of the United States or any country."

s Referring to Mr Bennett’s demand i»r an Empire trade conference, Mr ifalcolm stated that ever since the Hon. W. S. Fielding introduced British preference it had been the Liberals’ policy to increase trade within the Eimpire. In the past eight years Canada's imports from British countries Had, increased from approximately £30,000,000 to £51,400,000, and Canada’s exports from £09,400,000 to £107,800,000, giving an increase of trade with the Empire during that period of almost £00,000,000. The Minister, reviewed the volume and nature of Canada’s trade with the United States. During the Dominion had imported raw materials from the United States to the value of £44,400,000, and exported to the United States raw' materials valued at £30,600,000. Consequently, if it was a sacrifice to sell unfinished products, Canada's sacrifice was less than that of the United Stltes by £13,800,000, Canada’s trade in manufactured products with the United States was large, and the Minister admitted that the balance stood against the Dominion, but this feature was less marked than formerly. He added: “We sell £l-00,000 worth of goods to the United States yearly, and, judging by past experience, the value .will not shrink materially, whatever the tariff fixers at Washington may do."