CANADA AND AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 172, 19 January 1912, Page 5

CANADA AND AUSTRALIA.

THE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF PRO POSAIS.

By Gable—Prjss Association—Copyright London, January 17. The Morning Post applauds Canada's proposals for preference to Australia. Mr. Aitken, M.P., who is a Canadian by birth, interviewed, declared that it marked a step in the direction of Imperial preference, and would be most beneficial to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Dr. Parkin, author and lecturer on Imperial federation, states that hither- ( to it has been assumed that it is useless to enter into preferential arrangements in which Britain has not taken part. The present Government is the outcome of the rebuff the Dominions met when trying to negotiate a similar scheme for a United Empire. Sir William Hall-Jones, interviewed, tf&id that New Zealand was carrying on a nice trade with Vancouver. It was hoped the projected reciprocal scheme would give a further stimulus thereto. While the arrangement was calculated to benefit the three countries commer- , v -cjaUy, it would likewise possess the Tfenjtimental advantages of more closely yfoanecting them. ~\He added that it would be an objectfor all studying Imperial preference, whether from a favorable or hosstandpoint. ' A COMMONWEALTH CONCESSION. Received 19, 1 ajn. Melbourne, January 18. The Federal Government is prepared to give Canada and New Zealand the benefit of the British preferential duties tariff, provided Australian goods are allowed to enter those countries at British rates. A Bill will be introduced next session to provide that the preference shall apply.to Canadian goods, but several items/j will probably be excepted. Mr. Tudor declared that if they had the reciprocity treaty there would have no difficulty about subsidising mail steamers, but it was not advisable to "grant a subsidy to steamers calling at New Zealand, unless they had reciprocity during 1910. Australia exported £BO,OOO worth of goods to Canada. Had the preferential rate been in existence she ] •would have saved £7727. i Canadian exports to Australia for the aame period were £110,294. Preference ; would have saved £3440. i