MR BRUCE IN CANADA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18890, 4 January 1927, Page 9

MR BRUCE IN CANADA.

-, *-rDOMINION RELATIONS DISCUSSED. (BY CABLE-rBESS ASSOCIATION-COPJBIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) OTTAWA, January 2. Mr Bruce and his party arrived at Montreal in a snowstorm and extremely cold weather, being immediately taken to Sir Henry Thornton's home for breakfast. The Prime Minister received the Press representatives shortly afterwards, answering questions for an hour or more.' The Canadian pressmen showed great interest in the development of Australia's relations with other countries and trade relations between the Commonwealth and CanMr Bruce expressed the belief that the treaty between Canada and Australia was functioning beneficially, but that the true value of such an arrangement would be more clearly discernable over a period of years, tie indicated that the treaty was pointing the way to similar arrangements among all the Dominions. Mr Bruce was asked whether Australia objected to Canadian goods receiving Australian preference if they were made in industries financed by American capital. Mr Bruce replied that there was no objection to American capital. The provision in reference to the percentage of British labour entering into the goods receiving the preference was to assure two particualr objects—first, the general idea of preference to British goods as such, and second, no matter what was the source of the finance behind a certain industry, whether British or American or otherwise, there was a benefit accruing to a British country if the labour entering into the manufacture of the goods was British. This was the principal purpose of the treaty, and to permit only a small percentage of British labour in. goods receiving the preference in Australia would defeat this purpose. Questioned as to whether there was s likelihood of the early appointment of an Australian Commissioner in Canada with a view to augmenting trade, Mr _ Bruce replied that Australia was anxious to further in every possible way the trade relationships between the two countries, and while in Canada he would learn what the sentiment was in reference to the appointment of such a representative.

OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS. (AT7STBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received January 3rd, 8.30 p.m.) OTTAWA, January 2. Mr Bruce has arrived and was met by Mr Mackenzie King and a representative of the Governor-General and taken to Government House for a private dinner He speaks to-morrow at a Government dinner, and also at a Canadian Club luncheon. He will confer with the Government regarding the possible early appointment of an Australian Trade Commissioner in Canada.

BUSINESS MEN'S VISITS. (ATISTIUI,Uif AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION) WASHINGTON, December 31. It is understood that during, a visit to the State Department Mr Bruce took up the matter of business men's visits to the United States, on the basis of a treaty of 1815 with Britain, under which the United States permitted witho-"' exception all privileges of stay in America to "citizens of Britain and its possessions a Europe." The treaty was discovered during the visit of an official to the State Department, and it had been suggested that an amendment of the latter phrase would give Australian business men the same privileges as British. This led Mr Bruce to take up the subject, and it is understood the State Department will go into the matter and take advice thereon.