CANADA AND N.Z.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18408, 15 August 1931, Page 3

CANADA AND N.Z.

TARIFF NEGOTIATIONS. PREMIERS’ PERSONAL DISCUSSION (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. Shortly after the arrival back from the Imperial Conference, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, was criticised by some members in the House of Representatives for not returning via Canada so as to enter into tariff negotiations with that country. In the exchange of cables between Mr Forbes and the Canadian Premier, the Rt. Hon. R. B. Bennett, since that date, the contents of which the former made public to-day, mention is made of the subject. In a cable dated July 28 Mr Bennett stated his regret that on Mr Forbes’ Journey through Canada to London and In London their discussions did not yield definite results, but so far as this was due to any factor other than lack of adequate ■time Canada must decline to accept more than a reasonable share of that responsibility. Canada had suggested that the New Zealand delegation should return through Canada, as was done by Australian Minister of Commerce, in which case a comprehensive agreement might have been reached in time for action by both Parliaments this session, and regretted that Mr Forbes could not adopt that course. The telegrams which had been exchanged since had been an inadequate substitute for personal discussion.

Mr Forbes in cabling on August 12 stated that on the two occasions when New Zealand Ministers put themselves in personal touch with Canadian Ministers the results entirely failed to convince the New Zealand Government of any desire on the part of the Canadian Government to enter upon effective discussions. On the first occasion, on the day of Mr Forbes arrival at Ottawa (where he had been invited by the Canadian Government to discuss the matter) he was met with a heavy additional increase in the duty on New’ Zealand butter, while the Canadian Government was unable to enter into any detailed negotiations; and on the second occasion, at London, an abortive exchange of views took place but no suggestion was communicated to him then or on any subsequent date that he should return to New’ Zealand via Canada for the purpose of participating in yet a third series of conversations. _______