TRADE TREATY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1932, Page 6

TRADE TREATY

CANADA AND DOMINION.

DELAY IN RATIFICATION. (By Telegraph —1 J er Brets Association ) AUCKLAND, March 22 There is considerable dissatisfaction among the members of the commercial community of Auckland interested in tvade with Canada at the 1 delay on the part of the New Zealand and Canadian Governments in ratifying the trade agreement arrived at by Mr H. H. Stevens, Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce, and the Hon. Wv Downic Stewart, New Zealand Minister of Customs, at Honolulu, early in January. Over a week ago it was unofficially reported from Ottawa that there was a possibility of the Canadian Government delaying the completion of the agreement until after the Empire Economic Conference at Ottawa in July. Mr Downie Stewart had previously stated that he had been ready for some time to submit the ageement to Parliament, but there had been s°me delay at the Canadian end owing possibly to pressing political problems taking precedence. On Thursday evening a cablegram was sent to Mr Stevens on behalf of the Canadian-British Traders’ Association of New Zealand, pointing out the great distress the delay in ratificatibn was causing New Zealand agents for and importers of Canadian products and urging ratification before the New Zealand Parliament went into the Easter recess of 10 days.

A reply was received in Auckland yesterday as follows: Canadian Prime Minister Cabled New Zealand Prune Minister March 11. Canada now awaiting answer.

It was stated on behalf of the association yesterday that it was simerelv hoped that the cablegram received bv the New Zealand Government had finalised the matter and that both Governments would lose no time in ratifying the agreement and making it effective, thus relieving the present severe hardships-

It was suggested that the- delay on the part of the Canadian Government might have been occasioned by the uncertainty of the exchange position in New Zealand and that the cablegram of March 11 had been forwarded when it was known that the rate was not to be increased. 11

Goods specially manufactured for the New Zealand trade, which have been paid for, have been stored in bond in Canada awaiting shipment to New Zealand for periods of upJo eight months and this delay is causing seiious loss to importers. Similar Canadian goods have been Held in store in Auckland for upwards of nine months, according .to local merchants, who say that under the present tariff they could not afford to pay duty and sell the goods without making a loss. Unfortunately, of these goods are of a seasonal character and have already missed the season for which they were imported. Local merchants are anxious to place orders for goods required for coining seasons and unless the position is soon cleared up their trade will be further hampered. The New Zealand Government has been communicated with since the receipt by the Prime Minister of the Canadian Government’s cablegram, hut so far no further information been furnished.