TRADE MINISTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 47, 24 February 1913, Page 6

TRADE MINISTERS.

T__3 COMING CO-TEKENCE. NEW ZEALAND BUSINESS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. A brief outline of the work of the coming conference of Trade Ministers ot the Commonwealth. Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand in Melbourne next month shows that the Hon. F. M. P.. Fisher will have a busy time while he is away from the Dominion, "ln addition to discussing a possible reciprocal agreement between New Zealand and Australia, it must not be forgotten," said Mr Fisher, "that the Trade Ministers of the oversea dominions will meet with a view to improving trade relations between the various countries. Then there i- .in important question affecting New Zealand which I have to discuss with the Commonwealth Prime Minister, and th.*i is the reciprocity of pensions be- ;>*■■ en the two countries.

* I intend to ask the Australian Governnn nt if the}" will retain the wireless station at the Macquarie Islands. It \v...- erected for the Mawson expedition, and has proved of immense value to New Zealand from a meteorological point of view. Then there is the question of getting Australia to bear herj share of the burden ol* maintaining the light on the Three Kings. It is an inter-' national light, almost as of great im-! portance to ships visiting Australia to i the exclusion of New Zealand as it is to our own shipping. Thus you may judge that my time in Melbourne will be fully occupied. The cordiality that has been shown by the Governments concerned towards the proposed conference augur 3 well for its practical utility. Canada, At—tralia and South Africa have expressed the warmest desire that such a conference shall be held, and that no effort shall be spared to benefit trade within the Empire.