HEADS TOGETHER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 943, 9 April 1930, Page 9

HEADS TOGETHER

CANADA TALKS TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA RECIPROCAL PREFERENCE Reed. 11.40 a.m. OTTAWA, Tuesday. Canada is ready to negotiate a complete exchange of preferences with Australia, -announced Mr. James Malcolm, Minister of Trade and Commerce, to a delegation representing the lumber interests of British Columbia. The matter, he said, will be fully discussed with Mr. J. E. Fenton when he visits Ottawa on his way home from the Naval Conference. Mr. Malcolm hinted that preliminary negotiations were now in progress. Action is particularly sought regarding the Canadian lumber. The delegation told the Minister that the recent trip to Australia showed that the country was heartily in favour of extending trade within the Empire on a fair basis. Mr. Malcolm reminded the delegation that his predecessor, the late Mr. Robb, two years ago had expressed his full accord with a proposal for full preference between the two countries. The delegation suggested that the Dominion Government establish Canadian credits in Australian banks to facilitate the present financial conditions in Australia. The visit there had shown the wisdom of some such an arrangement and had also shown a decided desire on the part of Australia that Canada should import Australian wines, which the delegation stated appeared reasonable and possible.