EFFECTS OF OTTAWA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 296, 9 August 1932, Page 5

EFFECTS OF OTTAWA

(Press. Assn.—

LARGE AMERICAN INTERESTS FEAR LOSS OF TRADE HOSTILE PRESS COMMENT

-By Telegraph — Copyright).

, OTTAWA, Monday. The United States looks with mixed feelings on the Ottawa Conferenee and there is increasing evidence of concern regarding the outcome. Although a score of American journalists have been quartered at the Chateau Libeau since before the opening of the conferenee, the indications were that the United States public did not realise until a few days ago the real significance or potential results of the Ottawa deliberations. The American manufacturers' first impression was that "Congress will not let them kill our trade." However, an increasing number of unofficial observers from across the border are now thronging the lobbies. They feel in a somewhat difficult position in conducting inquiries, as they possess no status. Hostile American newspaper comment adds to their discomfort, as this is the first great world event to which America has not received an invi- - tation. The iron and steel emissaries are specially anxious in view of Mr. R. B. Bennett's direct statement about giving greater prererence to Britain. There is also considerable interest in Argentine meat. The opinion is still universally expressed in America that Britain will not dare to interfere with her own interests in South America. Nevertheless, it is

generally believed in Dominion circles that Britain is faced with Australia's pressure (which is backed by ! Canada, South Africa and New Zea- i land) and will consent to impose a ' small quota, plus a tariff, against Ar- I gentine chilled beef. j An Espionage Corps , America's "espionage corps' at ; Ottawa is under the direction of Mr. j Pierre Boal, who was formerly chief j of the Western European Affairs j branch in the State Department. Mr. Boal receives American journ- I alists daily, and confers with the two | score representatives of American industrialists, who fear encroachment upon their huge interests. It is impossihle yet to estimate expertly the possible swing of trade, following the conferenee, or even to give an approximate estimate, because no definite decision has been made; but Mr. Boal considers Canada's proposed (reciprocal) arrangement with Britain so far from diverting between £20,000,000 to £40,000,000 imports in favour of British manufacturers, will not affect more than £5,000,000 of United States trade. An instance of America's appre- j hension is seen in an Ottawa despatch to the New Yorlc Times, which declares that the British delegation will reject Canada's proposals demanding greater concessions. The correspondent predicts that Britain will not receive more than £12,000,000 additional trade-.