CANADIAN TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1928, Page 6

CANADIAN TRADE

(Australian Press Association) (United Service.)

OTTAWA, Oct. 17

A delegation of British Columbia lumber manufacturers on Wednesday requested the Finance Minister .Robb and Malcolm (Minister of Trade and Commerce) “To have application made to Australia covering tariff for rough dressed lumber and lumber products, so that whenever there is a British preferential rate Canada should get one. shilling per hundred superficial feet preference, either in the form of a reduction of the present rate to Canada of one shilling or an increase in the general rate which veers from eight to fifteen shillings.” The delegation also requested the same tariff for British Columbia led cedar as is now engaged by Californian red wood. An important steamship service to Australia for lumber trade was also suggested. Mr Robb replying, stated we are anxious to extend 'Canada’s trade particularly within the Empire. We are prepared to give full British preference to _. Australia, if Australia will do .the same with us. it would not hurt this country in any way if full British preference was enjoyed both ways. He claimed, no province of profited more under Australian treaty than British Columbia and no province was opposed to it more strongly in Parliament than British- Columbia. Recently Australia liad asked . for certain tariff concessions and Air Robb said he had replied: that we are ' willing to meet you and widen out the treaty in return for reciprocal frontment. 'Mr'‘.Malcolm declared the matter of steamship service would be fjiv!en serious thought and efforts •would he made to see if something could not he clone to improve facilities when they were considering on * various services.

LUMBER TRADE

OTTAWA, October 17

It was stated a Belgian from Australia and New Zealand to Empire Parliamentary Conference had been approached while in Canada and had taken a very favourable attitude towards the suggestion of preference for Canadian lumber. It was pointed out that since Canadian ships ceased running to Australia five years ago British Columbia lumber trade had decreased 50 per cent; to Australia, while imports had increased.

VANCOUVER, October 17

Lumbermen’s visit ’ to Ottawa was the outcome of conferences with Empire Parliamentary representatives from the antipodes at Vancouver. AH strongly favoured the scheme and said the move must come from the. Canadian Government. They promised to give it the utmost support. Tlie conference that Australia imported ten million (feet of United States Douglas fir and only a million from British Columbia.