RECIPROCAL TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1935, Page 4

RECIPROCAL TRADE.

BIRMINGHAM VIEWPOINT.

EEPLY TO DOMINION

At a recent meeting of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce X. Parker Smith, who presented the report of the Tariff Committee said that consideration had been given to communications from the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand asking that influence should be used with the Imperial Government to restrain it from imposing restrictions on the importation of New Zealand meat into Great Britain. The lnvercargill Chamber of Commerce referred to the serious position which confronts New Zealand in regard to incut and the deplorable effect the imposition of any quotas would have if applied to New Zealand produce, including the curtailment of the ability of New Zealand to purchase British goods. After careful consideration, said Mr Smith, the committee reached the conclusion that the question of meat quotas was part of Ihc much larger one of economic cohesion within the Empire, and ultimately the following resolution was! passed for transmission to the lnvercargill Chamber of Commerce: —"That, whilst appreciating the point of view entertained by the lnvercargill Chamber of Commerce, id is felt that much greater economic coordination between the industrial and agricultural interests in lx>th Now Zealand and Groat Britain is called for. At this juncture, therefore, tlin committee hesitates to express an opinion on a matter which only touches the fringe of the larger issue." At the same time the committee felt it would not bo inappropriate to bring to the notice of the lnvercargill Chamber the fact that a good deal of dissatisfaction has boon occasioned to the manufacturing community in the United Kingdom with regard to the tariff policy of the New Zealand Government. A letter was accordingly addressed to the lnvercargill Chamber [pointing out that when manufacturers in the United Kingdom first learned of the recommendations made by the Tariff Commission there were general expressions of satisfaction that the spirit of Ottawa was to be implemented in an important Dominion. It was widely assumed that, having regard to the prolonged deliberations of the Tariff Commission. thenrecommendations would be substantially adopted. It was learned with keen disappointment that modifications had been mado by the New Zealand Government greatly reducing the concessions recommended, .iii The committee also pointed out that, by reason of the depreciation of the New Zealand currency, the secondary industries in New Zealand were afforded an additional artificial measure of protection against their competitors from Britain. Moreover, an examination of the trade returns disclosed the fact that the importation into the United Kingdom of New Zealand produce was substantially higher during 103-i than previously to the Ottawa Conference, whereas no such benefit iiacl been enjoyed by United Kingdom manufacturers io the New Zealand market. Hie view was also expressed that there was still room for improvement in the balance of trade between the two countries.