"Taranaki Central Press" MONDAY, MAY 31, 1937. TRADE WITH AMERICA

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 446, 31 May 1937, Page 4

"Taranaki Central Press" MONDAY, MAY 31, 1937. TRADE WITH AMERICA

The messages from London do not throw much light on the discussions of the Imperial Conference concerning trade. There is no room for doubt that the British Government desires to conclude an agreement with the United States and that the negotiations have advanced to the stage where, subject to the adjustment of a few details, the document is ready for signature. The question of interest at the moment is to what extent the oversea Dominions are involved. There has been a strong indication that the Imperial Government desires the Dominions to negotiate their own treaties with the United States, and the current reports show that there have already ben conversations between the Australian Finance Minister and Mr Norman Davis, who is representing Mr Roosevelt. Probably Mr Nash has been discussing the matter on be" half of New Zealand, and there is already a close understanding between Canada and the United States. The main concern of Australia and New Zealand, however, must be to maintain their position in the British market, which obviously is threatened. The British view is that there is an overwhelmingly strong case for the conclusion of an agreement with the United States, lowering the trade barriers on both sides and promoting the flow of commerce that is essential to complete economic recovery. It was suggested that by entering into separate reciprocal agreements the Dominions could obtain in the United States new markets that would compensate them for any loss they might suffer through the stronger American competition in England, but Mr Casey and Mr Nash may be pardoned for being sceptical on the point. There is a hint now in the comment of the London Times that the Dominions are anxious to have the American, concessions to them negotiated simultaneously with the main agreement and the next day or two should reveal whether any progress has been made in that direction.