Requests For Inclusion

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 3

Requests For Inclusion

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 6. The Government already had received a number of requests [ from New Zealand industries for inclusion in the terms of the New Zealand-Australia free trade agreement, the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) said today. Mr Marshall had been asked to comment on a Reuter report from Geneva which said Australia and New Zealand today received a “go ahead” signal from G.A.T.T. for the limited free trade area. Accepted Internationally Mr Marshall said he was pleased to learn of G.A.T.T.’s general approval because this meant it had been accepted internationally. “The agreement itself provides for the extension of its range and coverage. Already the Government has received a number of requests from New Zealand industries for inclusion in the terms of the agreement.” Mr Marshall said there already had been discussions with Australia on the procedure for the addition of items.

“Of course, there will be full discussion with the New Zealand industries concerned before any action is taken," the Minister continued. “The scope and nature of these discussions will be along the same lines as in the past. “The first review of the agreements at which items can be added will not take place until the agreement has been in operation for two years, but preliminary discussions will precede such a review.’’ said Mr Marshall. “We will also be making further reports to G.A.T.T. tn the light of our experience of the operation of the agree-

ment over the next few years,” said Mr Marshall. Mr Marshall, referring to the report, said the comment of the United States spokesman that the amount of trade at present covered was insufficient to justify the formation of a free trade area was “a dissenting opinion.” It was not accepted by the G.A.T.T. council. “As the report indicates, the G.A.T.T. council has given the agreement its approval with certain recommendations and it rejected the view attributed to the United States spokesman," said Mr Marshall.