CANADIAN TIMBER

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3860, 20 October 1928, Page 4

CANADIAN TIMBER

TARIFF PROTECTION. AUSTRALIA’S ATTITUDE. CONFERENCE AT OTTAWA. . OTTAWA, Oct. 17. A delegation of British Columbia lumber manufacturers on Wednesday requested the Finance Minister, Mr A. Robb, and Mr J. Malcolm, Minister of Trade and Commerce, “to have application made to Australia for a covering tariff on rough and dressed timber and lumber products; that wherever there is a British preferential rate Canada be accorded the same treatment. Canada should get one shilling a hundred superficial feet preference, either in the form of a reduction on 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 Calilornia redwood, and an improved steamship service to Australia for the lumber trade was suggested. Replying, Mr 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, anyway, if full British preference were enjoyed both ways. Mr Robb claimed that no province of Canada profited more under the Australian Trade Treaty than British Columbia, and no province opposed it more strongly in Parliament than British Columbia. Recently Australia asked lor certain tariff concesisons and Mr Robb stated that ho had replied: “We are willing to meet you and widen out the treaty in return for reciprocal treatment.” , . Mr Malcolm declared that the matter of an improved steamship service woudl be given serious thought, and efforts would be made to see if something could not be done to improve the facilities. . . , The delegation stated that members from Australia and New Zealand of the Empire Parliamentary Conference had been approached while m Canada and had taken a very favourable attitude toward the suggestion of preference for Canadian lumber. Delegates pointed out that since the Canadian Government ships had ceased running to Australia five years ago, the British Columbia lumber trade with Australia had decreased 50 per cent., while imports from Australia had increased. Mr Robb took exception to the suggestion that the lumber industry had been neglected under the Australian Treaty, instancing the consideration given' to newsprint and the results of some votes in Parliament. A representative of the Australian Government over a year ago had intimated that he was going back to have the treaty cancelled. The feeling had developed in Australia that Canada had received the better part of the baigain. The treaty might be enlarged, but they would never get it by lambasting the trade agreement and keeping their products out.