“N.Z. WITHIN HER RIGHTS”

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22340, 2 March 1938, Page 12

“N.Z. WITHIN HER RIGHTS”

AUSTRALIAN COMMENT ON NEW TARIFFS

reference to increased COSTS CUKITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.}

(Received March 2, 1.30 a.m.)

MELBOURNE, March 1

“New Zealand is within her rights in seeking to protect her domestic industries; but Australia has still retained a great proportion of her trade in New Zealand,” said the Minister for Trade (Mr T. W. White) to-day. Australian manufacturers had an opportunity of beginning operations in New Zealand, as some had already done. Examination of the provisions of the new trade pact, which came into operation to-day showed increases of tariff on 66 items of Australia’s exports. Mr White said that the negotiations had led to a better understanding between the two countries. The old controversy of citrus fruits against potatoes was satisfactorily settled. The New Zealand 40-hour week had increased costs to such an extent that manufacturers required increased duties to protect what trade they had. The secretary of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce (Mr T. A. Lennox Bigger) said Australia had no cause for complaint against the duties on manufactures because New Zealand was only adopting the Australian policy of encouraging local secondary industries.