HEAVIER TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 17, 20 January 1940, Page 11

HEAVIER TRADE.

AUSTRALIA AND N.Z. MPORT CONTROL PROBLEM. SEN AT OB McBRIDE'S VISIT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Preliminary discussions with the New Zealand Government on the question of tnport control, with the idea of trying o improve the position between the ountries, are to be undertaken by the Australian assistant-Minister of Commerce, Senator the Hon. P. A. M. Teßride, who arrived in Wellington bv he flying-boat Aotearoa to-day to cpresent the Australian Government a' he Dominion's Centennial celebrations. In an interview this evening Mr. McSride said New Zealand and Australia lad traded on a considerable scale in the ►Ast, and apparently to their mutual ►cncfit. "We feel," he said, "knowing he difficulties that exist at present, that nv arrangements which can be made rliicli will'modify the restrictions will ie worth discussing. I am ever here not 0 make any agreement, but rather to ;et the New Zealand outlook on these uestions. which are of great moment." Mr. Mcßride said the'fact that the alance of trade between the two counries in the past had been largely in Australia's favour was chiefly due to the imilarity of the products of the two ountries. The bulk of imports into sew Zealand from Australia were manufactured goods. In Sympathy With New Zealand. "New Zealand itself is stimulating he establishment of secondary iiulusries and may not in future import to lie same extent," Mr. Mcßride said, but we believe there will always be cope for considerable trade between the ,wo countries, particularly as we are so losely situated." To conserve exchange Australia had ntroduced certain import control measures, Mr. Mcßride said, and was entirely n synrpathy with New Zealand's efforts, lecause Australia had herself fostered ho establishment of secondary industries, which it felt were necessary to my country to bring about a proper jaianee in its production. "We <lo not >bject in any way to New Zealand's; ■ Hurts to foster secondary industries," ie said. There had been discussion prior to the war, when New Zealand, in order to conserve her exchange position, introduced certain restrictions, but since the war the position had been somewhat 1 eventuated and as Australia herself had liad to take such measures she realised entirely their necessity in this country. "We* have lecognised New Zealand's difficulties," Mr. Mcßride added, "and her right to take the measures which she deemed necessary, and provided there its no discrimination against Australia we can have no complaints at all. We feel that while there are difficulties none of these is insuperable." \