OTTAWA ARGUMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1932, Page 5

OTTAWA ARGUMENT

TARIFF tQTTESTKm A CANADIAN CONDEMNATION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) OTTAWA 1 , Cbtober 18. A condemnation of tho.e features of the Canadian-United Kingdom trade agreement which show an increase in an al ready-ini reasonably high tariff is contained in an amendment read in the Canadian House of Commons on 'Monday nighifc by the Opposition Leader,,. Mr' Mackenzie King, who asked tine Speaker to rule on whether, or not, it was in order. The Speaker agreed to consider the point, and to give his decision later. The amendment welcomed such terms in the agreement as propose a reduction in the existing dutiCo, as well as those which, in any way, tend to increase the possibility of a greater demand for Canadian products. The amend' lent disapproves in the strongest terms of the effect of the agreement whereby the present Government had precluded Canada from exercising the right, which is vital to the prosperity of the Dominion, of making trade agreements for the marketing of her products abroad, The amendment states that it is learned with the greatest concern that the agreement gives no definite assurance that the regulation by Order-in-Council imposing arbitrary and whollyunvvarranted restriction on trade shall be abandoned. It re-affirma the principle of British preference, which, it says, had been the policy of the Liberal Party since l&a7, and it records the conviction that had the tariff provisions of 'May 1, 1930, prevailed, Canadian products would have enjoyed advantages in the British markets immeasurably greater than any which they can hope to obtain under the proposed Ottawa agreement.

HIGHER TARIFFS TO BE FEARED. ALLEGATIONS BY LIBERALS. OTTAWA, October 18. The people of Canada and of Britain should both be consulted before any higher tariffs are imposed between the two countries, said Mr Mackenzie King in the House, referring to the Imperial Conference agreements. The Canadian i i r..f would go back to the level of tho Dunning budget if the Liberals were to return to power, he said. Be declared the Liberals would be willing to grant Britain a tariff preference averaging fifty per cent, where Canadian ports were used. He asked: “How can we accept these agreements, based as they are on flip Conservative protectionist tariff policy ? The British Preference policy originated in the Canadian Parliament, under the Premier, Sir Wilfred Laurier. We were the originators of British preference! We have maintained it against the honourable gentlemen opposite. It 'has not only been the view of every Prime Minister with the exception of Mr Bennett, Canada would never seek to force the Mother Country to so alter her fiscal policy that Canada might have preferences. The Liberal Party has always advocated greater freedom of trade, and when we have had to resort to tariffs, they have been for revenue only, and never for protection.’’ For Canada, the benefit of lower tariffs was for consumer, and they also meant lower costs of production. It must be apparent that no country could trade in one direction on'.y. Sooner or later its exports must be paid for by itimports. I BRITISH RATIFICATION. RUGBY, October 17. Both Houses of Parliament will re■aiaanble to-morrow. It is understood that three financial resolutions will be necessary before the Ottawa Agreements Bill can be introduced. These resolutions will deal with, firstly, the specific duties which the Government have agreed to invite Parliament to impose ; secondly, extension to a wider range of imported foreign articles; and thirdly, payment of certain additional (expenses in connection with ratification of the undertakings. AUSTRALIAN SPINNING MILLS. “OTTAWA SPELLS TROUBLE.” (Received Hi' i day nt 9.‘in am) MELBOURNE. October 18. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Carra Falls knitting and spinning mills, Mr P. Robinson, the actingchairman, expressed the opinion that Fie Ottawa agreements wi'-l damage the Australian industry. He saw nothing but trouble almad for Hie manufacturers who would not be anxious to launch out further extensions while the 'uncertainty continued. SUBSIDISED U.S. SHIPPING. LONDON, October 18. Mr Paish. New Zealand rade Commissioner, when interviewed, stroiig’y pvoleisL.fi against the unfair competi-•q-i vow •"oMvv! r nn British lines met from the subsidised American line. r: rr'eia' Iv a* New Zealand and Britain were not allowed to between ITo: oluln and San Francisco. He ex pres etl satisfaction v'th tiro ■Ottnwi} agreements, expressing the opinion that tl would result in advance's iri prices for meat and dairy produce. The advances would not b e much, but sufficient to turn the scale in favour of the New Zealand producer.