ONE WAY TRAFFIC?

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 281, 22 July 1932, Page 4

ONE WAY TRAFFIC?

An interesting little paragraph published yesterday recorded the fact that the immediate effect of the recent New Zealand-Canadian trade treaty has been to double the Canadian exports to New Zealand for the month of June. The last two ships, the message adds, sailed well laden with motor cars. From the Canadian point of view this is, of course highly satisfactory, but in order to gauge the effect of the treaty, it would be interesting to know how far it has reacted in favour of New Zealand. Past experiences have shown that Canada has demonstrated a very businesslike ability in safeguarding her own interests, and while it was not to be expected that she would give anything away for nothing, it would be reassuring to know that New Zealand is not earning blessedness through giving alone. Mr. Downie Stewart, when he negotiated the treaty on behalf of New Zealand, paid a tribute to the sweet reasonableness of the Canadian Minister of Customs, Mr Stevens, but while this is undoubtedly a very hopeful sign, New Zealand would clerive

more substantial satisfaetion from the reflection that the influence of the treaty has not been to develop one way traffic. The contemplation of two vessels laden with Canadian motor vehicles for sale in New Zealand will also arouse mixed feelings. American and Canadian interests are so interwoven in the motor trade, that Canadian motor cars would in some cases be more accurately described as American goods, built in Canada. It will be time to congratulate Mr. Stewart upon the treaty when its benefits to New Zealand can be ascertained and balanced against the increased Canadian imports.