TRADE POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 104, 4 May 1936, Page 8

TRADE POLICY.

ATTITUDE OF N.Z. AGREEMENT WITH U.S.A. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. Some months ago the Auckland Chamber of Commerce advocated that the Government should enter into negotiations with the United States of America for a trade agreement between the Dominion and that country. The matter was referred to the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and advice on the subject lias since been received by that body from the Minister of Customs, the Hon. W. Nash.

"The Government has given much thought to the trade policy of the Dominion," stated the Minister, "and, after an agreement has been reached with the United Kingdom, it is hoped to make an agreement with the United States. In the meantime the necessary material to determine the basis for the agreement, is being collected, and if your association has any particular points that it desires to bring before the Government, I should be glad if you would advise mo."

In an earlier communication received by the Auckland Chamber the Minister stated that, according to information available, the policy of the United States was to extend the benefits of the maximum tariff to all countries except such countries as discriminate substantially against American trade. It was not essential to the granting of such treatment that there should be a mostfavoured nation treatment .agreement between any particular country and the United States. There was at present no most-favoured nation arrangement between the Dominion and the United States. It was understood, however, that the benefits of any agreement concluded between the United States and other countries would be extended to New Zealand, and steps were being taken to obtain confirmation of this position.