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The Eighth Session of the Contracting Parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade opens at Geneva on September 17th. It is recommended that the Canadian delegation be composed as follows:
| Chairman: |
Right Honourable C.D. Howe
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| Vice-Chairman: |
Mr. L.D. Wilgress,
Canadian Representative to NATO and OEEC
|
| Delegates: |
Dr. C.M. Isbister,
Director, International Trade Relations Branch,
Department of Trade and Commerce
Mr. L.E. Couillard,
Office of the Canadian High Commissioner, London
Mr. S.S. Reisman,
Department of Finance
Mr. G.H. Glass,
Department of Finance
Mr. B.G. Barrow,
Department of Trade and Commerce
Mr. A.R. Kilgour,
Department of External Affairs,
Secretary to Delegation. |
2. The proposed agenda of the Conference comprises some thirty items of which the following are the ones of principal concern to Canada. The draft agenda is attached to this memorandum.
(1) Status of Tariff Schedules
3. This question is under consideration by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Trade and Commerce.
(2) United Kingdom Proposal on Preferences
4. The United Kingdom will submit a proposal for some modification of the "no new preference" rule. If it appears that this question raises important issues of policy for Canada Ministerial guidance will be sought.
(3) Accession of Japan
5. This item is one of the important issues which will be considered at the Session. It is very closely connected with our own negotiations for a most-favoured nation trade treaty and it is expected that there will be a separate submission to Cabinet on this matter shortly.
(4) United States Import Restrictions on Dairy Products
6. It is anticipated that the United States, largely on the grounds that its whole foreign economic policy is under review, will suggest that the question of the legality in relation to GATT of the latest restrictions should be avoided. It is recommended that the Canadian delegation should indicate serious concern over the United States action and its hope that remedial action will be taken.
L.B. PEARSON
