OTTAWA HEAD

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1932, Page 5

OTTAWA HEAD

PRESS SLIGHT

MR BENNETT CALLED “BUFFOON”

(United Press Association—l3y Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) OTTAWA, August '3. The 'newspaper \.cm espomdents are unanimously agreed that Mr Bennett (Canadian Premier) has made his first and la it appearance at a press interview. The London “Star’is” description of him is “Bennett, the Buffoon of’Ottawa!” This is being given prominence in the Canadian newspapers; It has caused a painful impression. This is for two reasons, one being that Mr Bennett is acting as the Conference’s host, and the other is that his attitude towards the newspapermen has been both dignified and helpful and was the very antithesis of buffcoii.ry. The British Delegation deplore this Blight to the Chairman of the Conf.ir-' enee, but->they are oonfident that it will not .mar the harmony of their relation? nor the prospects of dealing (uco'essfully- with the "serious business that is ahead. : v ‘ It is (recalled that-Mr Bennett was the subject of R.t. Hon, J. H; Thomas’ unfortunate' phrase “Htimbug” during the 1930 Imperial -Conference, when , Mr Bennett was proposing for consideration the preferential trading which is now the agreed basis of this Conference. The Canadian Premier, Mr Bennett’s : remarks yesterday. about textiles aroused the keenest discussion®, Local in- 1 h.rests are wondering whether it is ( meant to 'convey (that Canada would extend preferences to British' cotton, x Reeing the Canadian cotton mills are ( described as an “efficient industry.” t A Minister intimately associated with ] Mr Bennett to-day volunteered an al- s ternative interpretation, saying that } new preferences will not be allowed to ]• min lefificiant Canadian -industries. Cotton manufacture here is already highly t specialised, and many 'Canadian ’pro- t cesses are is understood that these will not be affected; but-it Soli® not --mean that I certain lines of British cottons will s not receive better'treatment. Mr h Bennett intended to indicate that whiETe a Canadian industry is ineffi- 1 cient, it will not be permitted to totter along under shelter of protection.

CANADA'S TIMBER PREFERENCE

RIUGBY, August 3,

It is reported that an agreement has been reached at Ottawa, between Canadian timber exporters and the United Kingdom importers, to be submitted to tn'e advisory sections of the conference to-morrow. It is hoped that thfe. plan' will give Canada a market of~l9oD'MlllK®’ :: feet it the United Kingdom, equivalent to thirty pei oent.-’ef'tfie^ 1 imff&rts.' AMERICA-. SHIPPING LINE, REFERENCE BY MR COATES.

OTTAWA','August 4. The Committee on the methods of econjDinio co-operation received - reports of "isub-oommattees on standardisation and procedure. A sub-com-mitee was apppointed to consider the establishment c, f the minimum requirements for grading standards of agricultural products. This question was raised by M Ooates, wlio stressed the importance of promoting the uniform grading of, exported agricultural products, . • Mi* Coates emphasised the importance of quality of product, on the development, of a marktt, not merely a new market, but encouraging greater consumption in countries already supplied. The New Zealand Government .beilieved that grading was of substantial help to trade. I n feri or products from other countries injured the market for everybody. Mr Ooates is bringing before the Conference the alleged unfair competition by subsidised American steamers, adhea'ing to inferior Labour conditions, in the, pacific trade with New Zealand and. Australian ports. A committee on which Mr Coates is repreeenting New Zealand, is examining tlie position. ’ • : Tlie inter-Dominion sub-committee began investigation of ba.se metals, principally ssinc f - lead. and copper, .in which Canada, Australia and Rhodesia are principally interested. . One feature of the discussion .was .the effect of Britain’s duty of ten on imported zincyand ;Tpadp •and ten per pent, on maniifafturedartrekis, containing zjPjC,- and lead, respiting in a position unfavourable to the manufacturer. ...