LORD PRIVY SEAL AS C.T.

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 772, 19 September 1929, Page 9

LORD PRIVY SEAL AS C.T.

MR. J. H. THOMAS RETURNS FROM CANADA MORE CUSTOM FOR BRITAIN British Wireless—Press Assn. —Copyright (Australian and N.Z. Press AssociationJ (United Service) Reed. 10 a.m. LONDON, Wed. Interviewed on his arrival at Liverpool, the Lord Privy Seal, Mr. J. H. Thomas, said he was completely satisfied with his visit to Canada. He was hopeful that the negotiations would help to solve Britain’s unemployment problem, by Canada taking coal, steel and other things, which she was at present taking from other countries. “I must lay my proposals, and any results in connection with my tour, before the Cabinet and before Parliament. I have not asked Canada to take things from us which she produces herself; but I felt that I was entitled to put in a strong claim, having regard to the Home Country being her largest single purchaser of wheat, apart from any ties of Empire. When I made a comparison of the amount she purchased from us as compared with the United States, I found Canada very ready to listen to the claim I was urging. “Canada knows we are her best customers now, and I urged her to reciprocate in the direction I have indicated. I propose meeting all Interested business parties in our country, so that the necessary steps may be taken to give practical effect to my efforts. “All this is only consistent with my statement when I took office, that there is no remedy for unemployment by artificial means. The real solution is to get customers. That I set out to do. I know it is an unusual step for a British Cabinet Minister to play the role of a commercial traveller, but the cause necessitated it and the result justified it.” Mr. Thomas admitted that he took out to Canada samples of British coal, of which tests were made. Orders would be placed for British coal as a result.