DOMINION SURPRISED BY HIGH BUTTER DUTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1082, 20 September 1930, Page 9

DOMINION SURPRISED BY HIGH BUTTER DUTY

TALKS IN CANADA MR. FORBES INTERVIEWED United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reccl. 0.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Friday. ; The Australian Press Association , interviewed the New Zealand Prime ! Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, here ' and asked him for a review of the results of his Canadian trip. ! “Naturally the wind was taken out jof our sails when, on arriving in I Canada, we learned of the large inI creases in the butter duty,” he said. | “We had planned to discuss with the ! Canadian Government trade matters of mutual interest, and had a plan in mind for increasing the trade between the two Dominions. “The increases in the butter duty were an unexpected factor. Our discussions with Prime Minister, and the Minister of Trade in Ottawa could only be brief. The Government was busy with its tariff measure and the business of the House. It was therefore decided to continue our discus sions in London. Mr. Forbes seemed personally optimistic and declared a solution undouotediy wouid be reached before the Imperial Conference adjourned. He said he realised that the Canadian and New Zealand situation was only one aspect of an entire Empire trade problem, which he was connuent would be considerably advanced toward solution by the imperial Conference. Mr. Forbes added that there was a realisation in Canada that there were instruments of redress available against any attempt to make the trade relationship between the two Dominions too one-sided. “The Prime Minister informed us,” |he said, “that the increases in the butter duty were necessary for the encouragement and protection of the Canadian dairy farmers. “I felt that he understood, however, that the balance of trade had considerably favoured Canada, and that it was impossible for the equitable interchange of commodities to continue long when the balance of trade favours one party to the serious : disadvantage of the other.” TARIFF MOTIONS PASSED AMENDMENTS DEFEATED Reed. 11.20 a.m. OTTAWA, Friday. The Government’s main tariff motion passed the House of Commons today by a majority of 34. The Liberal amendment was defeated by 40 votes. The Progressive sub-amendment was defeated by 170 votes.