‘Trans-Tasman Trade Pact Good For N.Z.’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30961, 18 January 1966, Page 14

‘Trans-Tasman Trade Pact Good For N.Z.’

Australia and New Zealand had to “hang together” or they would “hang separately,” said the Australian High Commissioner in New Zealand (Mr D. W. McNicol) yesterday.

“I don’t think either of us can afford to hang separately,” he said. Mr McNicol, on his first official visit to Christchurch, was addressing members of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association. The United States was the number one ally of Australia and New Zealand, he said. In the West, British power and position were diminishing, but were still important in Malaysia and South-east Asia. Mr McNicol said he had not taken his new post in New Zealand seven weeks ago with any great ambition. “I have come to try to carry on the cementing of good relations,” he said.

Friendship had to be kept under repair, he added. Australia and New Zealand both lived by selling things. “You have improved your

position with the Japanese. We have w th you and with others,” said Mr McNicol. He said the full benefits of the Australian-New Zealand free trade agreement would “not happen in the twinkling of an eye.” Duties were to be phased out over six to eight years. There would be all sorts of teething problems, grumbles and groans. He could say with conviction that the New Zealand Government would see that no harm came to New Zealand industry because of the agreement. The same would apply of the Australian Government and Australian industry. “People will suffer, or imagine they will suffer, but to the ‘broad’ sense this is not going to happen,” he said.

The agreement would mean a great deal to both countries

and would affect both primary and secondary industry in Canterbury. Mr McNicol said that in the month before he came to New Zealand he had spoken to manufacturers to Sydney and Melbourne. "I found a disposition in about half of them to have some rationalisation of trade,” said Mr McNicol. “There are things you can manufacture and sell us. 1 won’t mention names—that is invidious.”

The president of the association (Mr C. W. Mace) said that he was sure closer co-ordinated industrial economic policy would help balance the growth of the economies of the two countries.

“This could eliminate some of the existing bottlenecks, which are hampering our economic growth,” said Mr Mace.