TOTAL FAILURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 285, 1 December 1934, Page 9

TOTAL FAILURE.

TRADE PARLEYS. AUSTRALIA AND N.Z. Deadlock Reached Over Ban On Potatoes IMPORTS FROM DOMINION. (•United P.A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Received 10 a.m.) CANBERRA, this day. Comjjlete failure attended the conference of the New Zealand trade delegation, Mr. J. G. Coates and Mr. R. Masters, with representatives of the Commonwealth Government on trade matters, when the deliberations concluded last evening. Disappointment was expressed by the representatives of both sides at the failure of the negotiations. The following official statement was issued by Sir Henry Gullctt, Australian Minister Directing Trade Treaties, chairman of the conference, and Mr. Coates, the leader of the New Zealand delegation: — "The delegates, after exploring all the matters bearing upon the proposals made for comprehensive amendment .and improvement of the existing trade treaty between the two Dominions, decided that at present and in the existing circumstances an agreement could not be reached. The conference therefore closed, although thei'e are a few minor matters which may be further considered before the New Zealand delegation leaves Australia." It is unofficially reported that an agreement hinged upon the Commonwealth removing the existing embargo on the importation of New Zealand potatoes, the New Zealand delegates making it clear that this embargo must be lifted before they were prepared to conic to terms upon any other matters. The Commonwealth representatives immediately faced political considerations because of the export trade in potatoes enjoyed by Tasmania with all States except Victoria, which, too, objected to the entry of New. Zealand potatoes. The conference did not discuss the question of assisting British shipping in meeting subsidised American competition in the Pacific, but it is likely that there will be some discussion on this matter before the New Zealand delegation leaves Canberra.