Sister Nations' Spat

Months of bickering between two sister dominions ended in an ominous quarrel last week when Sister New Zealand said in effect: "

Sister Canada, from now on you are a foreign nation to me--so there!"

New Zealand's spokesman was of course her potent Hon. George William Forbes, Premier, Finance Minister, Minster of External Affairs, Minister of Customs, Minister of Stamp Duties and Minister in charge of Public Trust, Legislative, State Advances, Land and Income Tax. Scientific and Industrial Research and High Commissioner's Departments. As one competent to speak with authority about almost anything, Mr. Forbes postulated the impossibility of reaching an agreement with Canada for reciprocal tariff favors. This being so, the only thing for New Zealand to do--in Premier Forbes's opinion--was to discipline Sister Canada.

The Discipline: the New Zealand Government last week deprived Canadian imports of the benefit of "imperial preference" which is the lowest tariff rate in all British countries. Hereafter Canadian goods entering New Zealand will be dutiable at the "general [highest] rate" charged on goods from "foreign countries."

To this new and drastic rule, Mr. Forbes made three exceptions. New Zealand being a pastoral country, needs plenty of rubber boots and wire. Also she is not averse to buying paper cheap from Canada's famed mills. Therefore all kinds of Canadian rubber boots, Canadian wire of certain kinds, and Canadian paper of certain types will continue to enter New Zealand by "imperial preference."

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