TRADE RELATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 140, 16 June 1930, Page 8

TRADE RELATIONS.

AUSTRALIA AND DOMINION.

FEDERAL MINISTER'S VIEWS.

TALK WITH MR. DE LA PERRELLE,

"What was the Australian cricket score in the Test match?" was the first question the Hon. J. E. Fenton, Commonwealth Minister of Trade and Customs, asked pressmen on board the Aorangi last night. The Minister is returning to Australia after having attended the Naval Conference. He has also been discussing tariff and trade matters with Canada and the United States. This morning at 9 o'clock Mr. Fenton was met on board the Aorangi by the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Industries and Commerce, and welcomed on behalf of the New Zealand Government. The Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, sent Mr. Fenton a wireless message on Friday, extending a welcome to this Dominion, and stating that at the suggestion of the Prime Minister of tho Commonwealth, it was hoped that Mr. Fenton would have preliminary conversations with Mr. de la Perrelle, on trade relationships between New Zealand and the Commonwealth. More Cohesion Needed. "What will be the nature of those conversations," Mr. Fenton was asked. "Well, the topics which, most concern the two countries are the duties which are imposed by both sides, and these militate against trade between the Commonwealth and the Dominion," he replied. "It cannot indicate the conclusion of our discussion, because the results will have to be submitted to our respective Governments and Parliaments. Till that has been done nothing definite can possibly be accomplished." "My impression is that there should be more cohesion between the sister Dominion and the Empire as a whole— especially between the Dominions and Great Britain," Mr. Fenton continued. "If there is not that unison between us it is quite likely that other countries will come in, to the detriment of some of us. Australia and New Zealand, in my opinion, can do much to help mutual co-operation between ourselves. It is not a difficult matter to arrange for more trade between Australia and New Zealand. At the present time there is very little difference in our trade as fatas £ s d is concerned —that is. from the total trade point of view. There are 6,000,000 people in Australia and it is only a question as to whether we can increase that trade between us." British Dairy Market. Touching on trade conditions at Home. Mr. Fenton said there appeared to be over-production. One of the reasons why dairy produce prices had slumped was that" there had been such a mild winter in Great Britain. There had been so much milk there that people had not known what to do with it. Then they commenced to make their own butter, hence the non-consumption of the overseas Dominions' product. - "I am looking forward to the forthcoming Imperial and Economic Conference to solve many of the Empire's preeent difficulties," said the Minister. Canadian-Australian Trade. Questioned concerning the trade relationship of Canada and Australia, Mr. Fenton said, "In all my conversations with the Government and Departmental officials, all well as influential business men, I found there was a strong desire by the people of Canada for better trade relationships between their country and Australia. I am hopeful and confident that the same spirit will be manifested between tho United States and Australia. If the United States are not prepared to buy from us—well, we'll look for other customers who will." Mr. Fenton said everywhere he travelled in Canada ,and the States people had been wonderfully kind and good. As a matter of fact, he could not have received better treatment than he had been given in the United States, where he had renewed his acquaintance with President Hoover. Similar conditions prevailed in his tour through Canada. Although his mission had been a serious one, it had been enjoyable. It had been no "joyride," but' hard, solid work. When this phase of the visit was mentioned the Minister's' private secretary, Mr. W. Duffy, smilingly agreed. New Zealand's Part. "We are sister Dominions," remarked the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle this morning, "and it is to our mutual advantage that Australia and New Zealand should pull together in all our trade relations. I look upon the visit of the Hon. Mr. Fenton as being most important, and as the representative of the Government to welcome him I feel that the outcome of our conference will be of benefit to New Zealand and Australia."