§ Major ARCHER-SHEEasked whether any correspondence had recently taken place between the Colonial Office and any of the self-governing Dominions with any reference to the establishment of reciprocal trade relations between the Dominions and any of the Crown Colonies; and, if so, what attitude had been adopted by the Colonial Office towards these negotiations?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)Correspondence has recently taken place with the Dominion of Canada on the subject of the proposals for reciprocal trade relations with the West Indian Colonies, contained in the Report of the Royal Commission on Trade Relations between Canada and the West Indies. The Colonial Office has so far had no occasion to adopt any attitude in regard to these proposals. It has been left to the Government of the Dominion of Canada and to the Legislatures of the West Indian Colonies concerned to decide whether the recommendations of the Royal Commission shall be accepted or rejected so far as they are concerned.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEasked whether any communications had passed recently between the Governments of Australia and New Zealand on the one hand and the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and the Colonial Office on the other with reference to the establishment of reciprocal trade relations between Australia 2509 and New Zealand and Fiji; and, if so, what attitude had been adopted by the Colonial Office in the matter?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI have no information as to any communications having passed in regard to establishing reciprocal trade relations between Australia and New Zealand on the one hand, and Fiji on the other.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEIs it not a fact that the Governments of Australia and New Zealand did approach the High Commissioner for the West Pacific with reference to reciprocal trade relations between Fiji and Australia and New Zealand, but the Colonial Office refused to allow the negotiations?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI do not think so. I shall be glad to get the information for the hon. Member.