§ Mr. MACMASTERasked the President of the Board of Trade what changes, if any, have been made during this year in the United States duties on wood pulp and paper; whether, under these changes, any countries enjoy tariff advantages over the United Kingdom; and, if so, whether any steps are being taken to ensure that equal tariff advantages are granted to the United Kingdom?
Mr. ROBERTSONBy virtue of one of the provisions of the United States Act dealing with the proposed reciprocity with Canada, wood pulp, and paper valued at not more than 4 cents. per pound made of wood pulp (other than wall paper), were admitted into the United States free of duty if of Canadian origin on certain conditions with regard to the absence of export prohibitions or duties in Canada. These provisions took effect on 26th July, 1911, with regard to articles manufactured from wood pulp originating in certain portions only of the Dominion of Canada. Inquiry is now being made whether those provisions are being continued in operation, and as to whether there is any practical discrimination against the manufactures of the United Kingdom.