LOW DUTY ON N.Z. MUTTON

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28700, 25 September 1958, Page 13

LOW DUTY ON N.Z. MUTTON

Canada Promises No Change (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) MONTREAL. Sept 33. Canada today announced that she was "binding” her low tariff on fresh lamb and mutton imported from New Zealand and Australia. TRis action provided assurances that the low rate of half -a cent a pound would not be changed without extensive negotiations and the granting of various ton. cessions in return. The normal Canadian rate ot duty is four cents on imports from other Commonwealth sources and six cents from nonCommonwealth suppliers. Last year Canada imported 1,300.000 dollars worth of these products from New Zealand and 720,000 dollars worth from Australia. This action was announced by the Minister of Finance (Mr Dohaid Fleming) before the Commonwealth Trade and Economic Conference. , ' The New Zealand Minister of Finance (Mr. Nordmeyer), end Australia's Minister for Trade (Mr John McEwen) both warmly welcomed Mr Fleming's f announcement. According to a conference spokesman Mr McEwen 'said he had no prior knowledge whatever of the Canadian statement. -One thing about this conference is that things come without haggling,” he had said. Mr Fleming told the conference that the half cent a pqpnd import duty had been in operation for the last 20 years.

“Fery Welcome News” (N«w Zealand Pros* AsseaisHon) WELLINGTON, Jtapt fit Mr J. W. de Gruchy, general manager of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, said tonight that the meat duties announcement from Canada was very welcome news. It clearly indicated the'Canadiaa government’s Intention to foster Commonwealth trade and alto indicated a desire to foster the importation of New Zealand meat. The Meat Board had la Canada at present two representatives making further study of the trade there. Shipments of New Zeeland lamb to Canada from this season's production already totalled 230.000 carcases.