Evening star., 1932-07-28
AMERICANS MOVE
TO PROTECT TRADE
AT OTTAWA PARLEY
Drafting Unofficial Statement
to Offset Any Likely
Disadvantages.
GREAT BRITAIN SEEKING
TO FORCE CANADA'S HAND
Awaiting to Learn What Favors
English Industry May Expect
for Preference Tariffs,
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
OTTAWA, Ontario, July 28.-Ameri-
can interests, eyeing the British I'm
perial Economic Conference closely in
an effort to protect their trade advan-
tages in Canada. began today the draft
ing of an unomcial statement of views
The Americans, outsiders at the con-
ference but keenly interested, planned
to indicate the disadvantages that
might result to Canadian-American
trade if certain proposals before the
conference were agreed 10.
Britain Awaits Proposals.
At the same time Great Britain
sought automatically to force Canada's
hand, and to learn what favors British
industry may expect in return for pref
e-ence tariffs favoring Canada.
From the outset Great Britain has
made it clear that she cannot act upon
Dominion requests for export advan-
tages until she knows what to expect
In return.
Conference procedure provides that
the daughter nations agree among
themselves on trade bargains before
Great Britain discusses separately with
each what tavors she must claim. The
various delegations, representing the
numerous units of the British empire,
are inclined to delay actual bargaining
until Canada, titular leader Of the con-
ference, indicates what she intends to
offer in return for what she hopes to
receive
Canada, on the other hand, has ap-
peared to be waiting to see what Great
Britain intends to do.
Canada Is Pivot.
The interest of the United States,
Argentina and other non-empire ma
tions centers around Canada's stand.
These outside nations are especially
concerned as to what Canada will offer
Great Britain in connection with the
"list of 5000" industrial articles pro-
posed by Premier Bennett of Canada as
a bargaining basis.
The first plenary session Of the
Committee on Customs Administration
attracted special notice today from the
United States. This was because un-
der the Canadian tariff act of 1880. the
powers given to the minister Of national
revenue include virtually arbitrary con-
troll over imports.
Under the act, if a Canadian manu-
facturer complains that United States
producer is underSelling him, the Min
lister of national revenues may instruct
the American firm to raise his selling
price above the Canadian manufactur-
erS, or keep his product out OF Canada
Cigarettes Blamed.
Trade experts blame this law for
the fact that cigarette selling in the
United States for IA cents, retails here
for SIS cents, compared with 25 cents
for a comparable Canadian brand.
There was the possibility that the
Committee on Customs Administration
might discuss duties outside as well
within the Empire If SO. United
States exporters would get some definite
notion Of what to look for in Canadian
trade.
The Seni-oficial United States viev
today was that the empire preference
might not be as costly as had been an
ticipated. It was pointed out that ther
is in Canada long cultivated taste TO
American food products and long ia
miliarity with manufactured article
from the United States Also consid
cred was the fact that empire competi
tors would find it difficult to compete Il
price and quantity with United State
concerns.
Years to Supply Demand.
II Would take nations seeking tn
American share of the British frui
markets eight to ten years, 1t was ar
gued, to acquire sufficient apple or
chards TO supply the demand. Evel
then. there would be the question
whether the trade could be weanet
from American preference.
The matter Of empire parity was be
tore today's session OF the Committe
Currency It was indicated tina
those parts of the empire most heavil
Continued on Page 2, Column 81