A.—9

1930. NEW ZEALAND.

CANADA AND NEW ZEALAND TRADE RELATIONS. STATEMENT BY THE HON. G. W. FORBES, PRIME MINISTER.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

As honourable members are aware, the Government has for some time been in communication with the Government of Canada concerning the trade relations between the two countries. It will be remembered that in 1925 a trade agreement was made between Australia and Canada under which certain reductions in duty were made on Commonwealth products entering Canada. On the Ist October, 1925, the benefits of this agreement were extended to New Zealand goods. The principal reductions in duty were as follows

The following figures of trade between Canada and New Zealand for the years 1923 to 1929 will show the effect of the alterations on the export trade of New Zealand to Canada : —

It will be noticed, however, that notwithstanding the increase in the exports from this Dominion to Canada the balance of trade was still considerably against New Zealand.

Rate of Duty on Importation into Canada. Goods, being produce of New Zealand. British Preferential Tariff Agreement Rate. Rate (in force prior to the 1st October, 1925). Meats (fresh) . . .. \ cent per pound. 2 cents per pound. Cheese . . .. . . Free. 2 cents per pound. Butter . . . . . . 1 cent per pound. 3 cents per pound.

n , j v Imports into New r/ ew Difference in Favour Calendar Year. v i i r< Zealand Produce to c , Zealand liom Canada.; Canada Canada. I 1 £ £ £ 1923 .. .. 2,950,984 656,299 2,294,685 1924 .. .. 3,914,404 705,324 3,209,080 1925 .. .. 3,916,237 413,536 3,502,701 1926 .. .. 3,431,533 850,362 2,581,171 1927 .. .. 2,739,826 1,652,067 1,087,759 1928 .. .. 3,258,828 2,455,337 803,491 1929 .. .. 4,792,820 3,342,299 ' 1,450,521