TRANS TASMAN CO-OPERATION Joint Council Formed For Forest Industries

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31521, 8 November 1967, Page 22

TRANS TASMAN CO-OPERATION Joint Council Formed For Forest Industries

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON November 7.

The Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) announced today that arrangements had been completed between New Zealand and Australia for the establishment of a Joint Consultative Council on Forest Industries.

The council, provided for under the New Zealand-Australia Free Trade Agreement, would co-opt the services of advisers from industry and Government sources in New Zealand and Australian as necessary, and was expected to hold its first meeting in the near future. Mr Marshall said.

“The role of the council | will be to advise the two I Governments on matters referred to it concerning the forest industries of the two countries,” he added. Australia’s representatives on the new council will be the First Assistant-Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, the DirectorGeneral of the Common-1 wealth Forestry and Timber! Bureau, and the Commis- ■ sioner for Forests in New I South Wales, representing ; the Australian Forestry "'oun-l cil. The New Zealand members; will be the Secretary of In- ' dustries and Commerce (Mr M. J. Moriarty), the Secre-I tary of the Treasury (Mr N | R. Davis), and the Director--' General of Forests (Mr A. L.I. Poole).

i The Minister said that at the recent talks in Canberra and Wellington between Australian and New Zealand officials, further discussions had taken place on proposals received by both Governments for industrial co-operation under the agreement. “A considerable number of proposals are being examined and approval has already I been granted to several in- ( volving the export of New Zealand-manufactured goods to Australia,” he said. Difficulties Resolved A number of difficulties en- ’ countered in the agreement •were resolved by discussions ;in Wellington today between I Government officials and manufacturers of the two ’ countries, according to a I joint communique released i tonight.

“It was agreed that the meeting had resulted in a closer understanding of the mutual benefits that could be derived from the agreement, and that similar meetings should be held annually in future,” the communique said. The meeting was presided over by the president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation (Mr R. C. Speirs), and the Australian delegation was led by Mr F. R. Curtis, president of the Associated Chambers of Manufacturers of Australia. The communique said the New Zealand delegates emphasised the need for a closer balance of trade between the two countries. In some instances New Zealand manufacturers who had established a market in Australian had found sales of their goods inhibited by higher tariffs aimed at countries other than New Zealand. The Australian Department of Trade and Industry accepted a suggestion that Australia should not, without prior consultation, increase duties which would adversely affect New Zealand exports. “There was a renewed undertsanding that the expansion of trade coverage should not result in serious damage to industries either in New Zealand or Australia, and should not restrict the establishment of worthwhile new industries in either country,” said the communique. Improved Shipping The Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) told Parliament today that the shipping service between New Zealand and Australia would be materially improved by the introduction, by the Union Steam Ship Company next May, of two roll-on, roll-off trans-Tasman ferries. The ferries would give a weekly service, leaving Sydney and Melbourne on alternate weeks for Auckland and Wellington and return. Replying to Mr M. A. Connelly (Lab., Riccarton), the Minister said the South Island would have the usual cargo service to Australia, and the new roll-on roll-off ferry Hawea would operate the Auckland-Lyttelton-Dune-din service, using sea-freight-er containers which could be used on containerised runs to Australia.