AUSTRALIAN TRADE TREATY.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1925, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN TRADE TREATY.

OPPOSITION IN HOCSF. fAustralia A N.X, Cable Association ] OTTAWA, dune 22. The Australian Trade Treaty met with opposition in the House of Commons to-day. The Conservatives attacking it. charged that the advantage of the treaty lay with Australia, and that under its provision for reduced duties on imported Australian meats, and placing Australian eggs and cheese on the free list, a blow would he .struck at mixed farming in Canada. Hon .Mr Robb, Minister of Finance' observed that he personally represented one of the largest dairying constituencies in the Dominions and had he not considered the Treaty beneficial to Canada, he could have hesitated to introduce it. The Progressive Leader. Air F’orke. said he thou dit the Treaty was a mixture of good and evil. lie intended to vote against it. This was the gbt of the first debate on tin l Trade Pact.Air Robb declared that he hop* l *’ the mutual restrictions on apples between Columbia and Australia would

Air Robb declared that he hope'’ the mutual restrictions on apples between Columbia and Australia would he removed. He stated that the Australian Premier had promised tin•• as soon as the measure was passed bv tlie Canadian Parliament, it would be introduced in Australia.

Asked why onions were omitted. Air Robb stated that it was merely an emission, and onions would havi to j.;o in. Asked what advantage the Treaty would Ik 1 to the farmers of Canada, he replied that it would not he a great advantage, hut it would not injure them. The Minister was subjected to a bombardment of questions from belli the Progressives and the Conservatives regarding the effect of the duty charges on raisins and other articles in the ease ol Canada. The Progressives t>er.si-ied that Canada. would not reap any material advantage from the Treaty. Alter a long discussion. Mr Robb moved that the committee discussing the Australian Trade Treaty rise and report progress. There is considerable opposition among the Government supporters of the Treaty, and the suggestion is commonly heard that the Treaty may not come up again this session.