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Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1928, Page 4

According to a late cable message a delegation of British Columbia lumber manufacturers last week requested the Finance Minister, Hon J. A. Robb, and Hon J. Malcolm, M inister of Trade and Commerce, “to have an appplication made to Australia covering the tariff of rough and dressed lumber and lumber products, and that wherever there is a British preferential rate Canada lie accorded the same treatment. Canada should get one shilling per 100 superficial feet by 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 runs from eight to fifteen shillings.” The delegation also requested the same tariff for British Columbia red cedar now enjoyed by California redwood. An ' improved steamship service to Australia for lumber trade was suggested. In replying Hon J. A. Robb, 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 any way if full British preference. were enjoyed both ways.” He claimed that no province in Canada profited more under the Australian Treaty than British Columbia, and no province opposed it more strongly in Parliament than British Columbia. Recently Australia asked for certain tariff concessions and Mr Robb declared: “We said we were willing to meet you and to widen out the treatv in return for, reciprocal treatment.” Mr Malcolm declared that the matter of improved steamship service would be given serious thought and efforts made to see if something could not be done to improve the facilities “when we aire considering our various services.” The delegation stated that members of the Australian and New Zealand Empire Parliamentary Conference had been. approached while in Canada and taken a very favourable attitude towards the suggestion of preference to Canadian lumber. It was pointed out that since Canadian Government ships ceased running to Australia five years ago, British Columbia lumber trade has decraesed 50 per cent to Australia, while imports had increased.