TRADE WITH CANADA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 73, 17 November 1931, Page 5

TRADE WITH CANADA

(Press Assn. —

DOMINION'S PEACE EFFORTS OUTLINED BY MINISTER DELAYED BY ELECTIONS

By Telegraph — Copyrlght).

WELLINGTON, Monday. The Minister of Customs, the Hon. Downie Stewart, said to-day that he fully realised the exasperation of merchants at the slow progress made in remedying the trade situation with Canada, but there had been no delay ;at this end. ■ "The day after I completed the budget," he said, " I took immediate steps to open up negotiations with Canada. My idea was to make a ternporary working agreement by cable, which would re-open normal trade items. and follow this up with a more detailed trade agreement, to be negotiated at-an early date. "Within a few days I had reached the point where Canada inquired by cable what was the earliest date at which I could meet her Minister of

Trade and Industries at Honolulu. Nothing was said, however, as to a temporary cable agreement to relieve the situation. I notified Canada that I could leave this month. "However, just then a decision was made by the Government to hold the elections almost immediately. I presume that the Canadian Government thinks it necessary to await the results of the New Zealand election bef ore taking further steps. If so, I cannot .complain of that, but I have done my best to- expedite matters, and I have twice cabled asking for a reply and for permission-to explain to mer- j chants how matters stand. No one re- j grets more than I do the difficulty in which New Zealand merehants repre- ; senting Canadian ihterests find themselves placed."