TRADE AGREEMENT WITH AUSTRALIA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 11086, 8 April 1933, Page 3

TRADE AGREEMENT WITH AUSTRALIA

Signed Aboard Train in Early Morning

TERMS NOT DISCLOSED. Wellington, April 7 A trade agreement between Australia and New Zealand was signed by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and Senator W. Massy Greene on the train shortly after three o’clock this morning. , Mr Coatee accompanied Senator Greene to Palmerston North on a. special train, and eturned to Wellington while the Australians went on to Auckland to connect with tiie Monowai for Sydney. It is understood a complete agreement was reached on all points of importance, hut the contents of the agreement will not he revealed until both Governments have had the opportunity to consider it in detail. The Commonwealth and Dominion Governments will agree on a date for the release of the text, which must also he ratified by the Parliaments in both countries. As the next session of Parliament in New Zealand its unlikely before August there is likely to be some Ae- 1 lay in securing ratification, but this will not prevent certain measures being taken as soon as the Governments have agreed. This refers particularly to the embargo on New Zealand potatoes and Australian fruit and vegetables.

Suggestions Avere made during the negotiations that, consequent on the lifting of the embargo on potatoes, there should he an additional duty of 10s a ton, but this has been resisted by the Ngav Zealand Government. Many features of the agreement Avill have to he effected by alterations in tariff schedules, and this Avill be done in Netv Zealand next session, probably Avhen the general revision of the tariff is being made.