HON. G. FORBES

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1930, Page 5

HON. G. FORBES

VISITING OTTAWA

AN INTERVIEW. United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) OTTAWA, Sept. 17. Conversations looking toward the formation of a new trade agreement between Canada and New Zealand are ijy prospect, following the arrival to-day of Mr G. Forbes, Prime .Minister of New Zealand. Mr Forbct-i stated in 'an interview:— I have accepted the invitation of the Canadian Government to enter into conversations with a view to the arrangement of a new agreement and am looking forward to meeting Premier Bennett and his colleagues. Air Forbes is the guest of Lord Willingdon at Government House.

FURTHER DETAILS. QUESTION OF RECIPROCITY. OTTAWA, Sept. 17. Premier Forbes in an interview, to-day, declared eight cents per pound duty on New Zealand butter would he prohibitive insofar as exportation to Canada was concerned. He hoped an arrangement would he reached whereby some adjustment could-be achieved -but ■ “considering that the duty was put on just as we landed in Ottawa, the situation does not look too hopeful. New Zealand, however, stood prepared to discuss the matter. The policy of New Zealand was to trade with those nation/3 which traded with her. If such nations did not value New Zealand’s business then the Dominion would have to look elsewhere, notably the United Kingdom. Jf prohibitive duties were imposed on imports from New Zealand, the Premier continued, obviously such a onesided trade could not continue. New Zealand had to export produce in order to pay for her imports. Twenty per cent of' the Dominion’s Knitter export was sold in Canada. ’

Regarding the decision of New Zealand in withdrawing the preference extended to Canadian automobiles. Mr (Forbes declared that Canadian manufacturers still had fifteen per cent preference over United States.

Mr Forbes met Premier Bennett and several Cabinet Ministers earlier in the day.