EXCESS OF IMPORTS

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 282, 28 November 1925, Page 8

EXCESS OF IMPORTS

CANADIAN AND AUSTRALIAN.

LARGE ADVERSE BALAXCE.

(By Telegraph.—Special to "St»r.") DUNEDIN", this day.

Among the remits presented to tfie Conference of Associated Chambers of Commerce was the following: "That the Minister of Customs be urged to inquire into trade agreements negotiated between Australia and New Zealand and Australia and Canada, to see whether the products of this Dominion can be accorded more favourable treatment. It was presented by Mr. J. T. Martin, who said that advice had since been received from the Minister of Industries and Commerce that the same favourable conditions which Canada had given to Australia had been given to New Zealand. In respect to butter, cheese and other articles, the tariff had been reduced, and wool was to be allowed in free. Canada, it appeared, was extending verY favourable consideration to New Zealand. In 1924 we imported £4.000,000 worth of Canadian goods, of which half was in respect of motors and motor sood>. In two years we have paid Canada £..,.00.000 more than we bought from hor. It was more satisfactory to pay for imports with exports. In respect to Australia, he said, there was an adverse balance, hi nine months we paid £_!.s-20.f)0n to Au.-tralia in excess of our exports to t'nat country. A large field was waiting in Australia, but she had placed restrictions on us, which made tradinn diflicult.

Mr. Martin was uiven permission to alter his motion to read: "That the Minister of Customs be urzed to continue efforts towards effecting a more satisfactory tariff arrangement between New Zealand and Australia."' Mr. John (iilkir-.m (Invercargill) said a better arrangement of tariffs AVOUW improve conditions in both I' would help to rc.liK-e the cost of Irving here, and would help to bring about a closer union of the Dominions and the British Empire. The amended remit was adopted.