TRADE WITH CANADA

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1026, 17 July 1930, Page 11

TRADE WITH CANADA

BUTTER V. MOTOR-CARS NEW TARIFF WANTED The council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce this morning considered the possibility of the present reciprocal tariff agreement between New Zealand and Canada, and with Australia, being modified- All interested are to be invited to supply information to the Comptroller of Customs regarding any goods or classes in which it is considered that the duties should be modified on either side, or of any restrictions or importation or export which should be altered. Tho council will recommend to the Customs Department that tho two trade agreements should be kept separate; that no modification of any existing duties should be agreed on except on a reciprocal basis, keeping in mind the maintenance of as low a duty as possible on New Zealand butter entering Canada; and the immediate abolition of non-effective duties on the importation of butter and other comnyodities which are. in the chamber's opinion, merely a hindrance to negotiations.

Progress reports are to be obtained if possible from the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, who is in charge of negotiations. That the chamber make suggestions regarding new tariff arrangements, was proposed by Mr. A. G. Lunn, but the chairman, Mr. M. Stewart, considered it was rather a question for the individual firms concerned.

“No weight is carried by these representations.” declared Mr. W. A. Boucher, who gave instances of suggestions which had been rejected at the time and brought into force four years later. “We want to bargain with cur thousands of tons of butter against Canada's motor-cars,” said Mr. Lunn. There were many other articles which could also be made use of to secure reciprocity.

Mr. Boucher pointed out that Canadian timber did not secure preference over that from the United States, and considered a change should be made here.

The suggestion is to be referred to the Government.