MINISTER IN DEFENCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 702, 29 June 1929, Page 12

MINISTER IN DEFENCE

CANADA’S TARIFF POLICY UPHELD

WILL MEET U.S. CHANGES (Australian and A.Z. Press Association) (United Service) Deed. 10.10 a.m. OTTAWA, Friday. ”I£ changes are made in the United States tariff which are found detrimental to the interests of Canada, alterations in the Canadian tariff structure, to correct the situation, will unquestionably be made,” the Minister of Trade and Commerce, the Hon. Malcolm, said in an address on Friday, answering criticsms of the Government’s tariff policy by the Conservative leader, Mr. Ft. B. Bennett, in his Ontario tour.

'The Government is much more alive to the situation than the Leader of the Opposition, and is fully prepared in the interests of Canada to readjust its fiscal policy from time to time, to meet any changes that may take place in the tariff structure of the United States or any country,” Mr. Malcolm said, referring to Mr. Bennett's demand for an Umpire trade conference.

Mr. Malcolm states that ever since the Hon. W. S. Fielding introduced British preference it had been the Liberal policy to increase trade within the Empire. In the past eight years, Canada’s imports from British countries had increased from approximately £30,000,000 to £51,400,000, and Canada’s exports from £69.400,000 to £107,800,000, giving an increase of trade with the Empire during that period of almost £60,000,000

The Minister reviewed the volume and nature of Canada’s trade with the United States. During 1928, the Dominion had imported raw materials from the United States to the value of £44,400,000, and had exported to the United States raw materials valued at £30,600,000. Consequently if it was a sacrifice to sell unfinished products, Canada's sacrifice was less than that of the United States by £13,800,000. Canada's trade in manufactured products with the United States was large, and the Minister admitted that the balance stood against the Dominion but this feature was less marked than formerly.

’We sell £100,000,000 worth of goods to the United States yearly, and judging by past experience this value will not. shrink materially, whatever the tariff-fixers at 'Washington may do.”