DOES CANADA PREFER FRANCE? [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—Before the Overseas Premiers return from the Imperial Conference to their various Dominions it would be useful if we could all come to a clearer understanding about the policy underlying the Franco-Canadian Convention which came into force at the beginning of last month. The effect of certain concessions made by Canada in that agreement to France has been to reduce the preference on British goods as compared with French, a trading advantage which at the moment is being very considerably emphasized by the cheap- ness of the franc.
The first result of the situation is most interesting. A syndicate of French manufacturers have already set up in Canada a dye-house where grey goods imported under the Convention may be coloured in the Dominion. A needless blow, that is to say, is being delivered, not only at our textile trades, but at British dyestuffs precisely when this young industry is taking the road to real prosperity. The frank opinion of the Imperial Conference upon the whole question would certainly be illuminating. New Zealand's views would in particular be valuable for there a " depreciated currency duty" has just been adopted to allow Britons a reasonable chance of competing for business in British markets.—I am, Sir, &e., FRED. W. ASTBURY. 14 St. Peter's Square, Manchester.
Previous page
