Pacific Common Market Idea “Not Realistic”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29699, 18 December 1961, Page 24

Pacific Common Market Idea “Not Realistic”

(N_Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright)

CANBERRA, Dec. 17. It was not realistic to envisage even a limited Common Market between Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, the Associated Chambers of Manufacturers of Australia said. In their official newsletter, “Canberra Letter,” the chambers said recent suggestions that Australia could take the lead to form this market

showed a lack of appreciation of the true situation in Japan. However, there would be substantial advantages from a very much closer trading relationship with New Zealand. The chamber said the formation of the European Common Market had made it fashionable for misguided enthusiasts to suggest similar forms of international relationships for other parts of the world. However, a Common Market scheme was only * feasible proposition for groups of countries which had comparable standards of Uving and whose stage of develop, meat was roughly similar. Living Standards Australia, with its high living standards and Its present stage of developments could not be grouped against these criteria, with any Asian country. There was a growing misconception that the Japanese enjoyed a high standard of living. Published figures of Japanese ’vage rates appeared to confirm this but it was important to recognise that these figures applied in the main to “permanent" workers who comprised only 40 per cent of the work force. The other fiO per cent were “temporary" workers who were hired on very much tower wage CSttlL Theft From Tnr Abotrt a was stolen from a tin when the premises of J. Gadsden and Company, Ltd.. 59 Fitzgerald avenue, were entered