TRADE PLANS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20502, 19 May 1938, Page 9

TRADE PLANS

BRITAIN AND AUSTRALIA THE INCLUSION OF CANADA A COMPLICATED POSITION United Press Assn, —Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, May 17 The scope of the trade negotiations between Britain and Australia may be widened to include Canada, states the political correspondent of the Australian Associated Press. This possibility will he discussed at the first full meeting of the British and Australian delegations to be held on Thursday with representatives of tlie Board of Trade, tlie Dominions Office and the Ministry of Agriculture. The Minister of Commerce. Sir Earle Page, the Attorney-General, Mr

R. G. Menzies, and the Minister of Defence, Mr 11. V. Thorby, it is understood, feel that with time passing and still no sign ol' a real commencement of business, something should be done to indicate the programme of the talks, but difficulties continue because the British seem uncertain as to the order of procedure. This is complicated by the negotiations between Britain ar.d America, Britain and Australia, Australia and America, America and Canada being so inter-dependent. Apparently the Canadians consider they cannot conclude discussions with America, in view of America’s demands for the removal of preferences, until they know where they stand with Australia. Accordingly, the Australian delegates feel that the negotiations might be better approached if a Canadian delegation came to London. “ Immensely Popular ” Sir Earle Page, referring to Mr Malcolm MacDonald's transference from the Dominions Office to the position of Colonial Secretary, said: "We are all very sorry to lose Mr MacDonald, who has such a splendid understanding of tl)p problems. lie is very popular with all. and we had greatly anticipated his participation in the forthcoming, negotiations. ’’Lord Stanley, his successor, is immensely popular with all the Dominion officials. I am sure we will receive sympathetic understanding from him.”

AUSTDALIA DISAPPOINTED THE NEW TRADE TREATY GREAT BENEFIT TO CANADA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 19, II a.m.) CANBERRA, May 19 The results of the new trade treaty made with Canada last September are becoming progressively more disappointing, according to the latest customs returns. The treaty has substantially stimulated Canada's exports to Australia, but Australian exports to Canada have decreased since it operated. EXPORTS OF MEAT NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA DISCUSSIONS IN LONDON United Press Assn.—E’ec. Tel. Co: lgh* (Received May 19, 11 a.m.) LONDON, May' 18 The officials accompanying Sir Earle Page are conferring with members of the British Government in connection with tlie forthcoming meat exports. New Zealand's recent mutton and lamb supplies have been heavy, but the Commonwealth's shipment has not been excessive, for which reason the future regulation of marketing is not likely to affect normal exports.