TRADE BALANCES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18551, 28 November 1925, Page 19

TRADE BALANCES.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. y EXPORTERS ASK BETTER TREATMENT. (SPECIAL to "thx pbesb.") DUNEDIN, November 27. Among remits presented to fho Conference of Associated Chambers of Commerce this morning was the following:— '■Thai the Minister for Customs be urged to enquire into trade agreements negotiated Between Australia and New Zealand, and Australia and Canada, to see whether the products of this Dominion can !>e accorded more favourable- treatment.' ; It was presented by Mr J. T. Martin, who said tbat advice had been since received from the Minister of Industries and Commerce that the same favourable conditions which Canada had given to Australia had been given to New Zealand, in respect to butter, cheese, and other articles, the tariff had been reduced, and wool was to bo allowed in free. Canada, it appeared, was extending very favourable consideration to New Zealand. In 1924 we imported £4.000,000 worth of Canadian goods, of which half was in respect of motors and motor goods. In two years we had paid Canada £o,500 : 000 inore than we bought from her. _ It was most satisfactory to pay for imports with exports. In respect to Australia there was an adverse balance. In nine mouths we paid £2,829,000 to Australia in excess of our exports to that country. A largo field was waiting in Australia, but she had placed restrictions on tis which made trading difficult. Mr Martin was given ijermission to alter his motion to read: "That the Minister of Customs be urged to continue his efforts towards effecting more satisfactory tariff arrangement between New Zealand and Australia."

Mr John GiJkison (Jnvercargill) said that a better arrangement of the £arilf would improve conditions in both countries. It would help to reduco the cost of living here, and would help towards a closer union of the Dominions and the. British Empire. The amended remit was adopted.