N.A.F.T.A. inquiry response criticised

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33051, 19 October 1972, Page 18

N.A.F.T.A. inquiry response criticised

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

CANBERRA, October 18.

An Australian Senate committee investigating the Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement had a “disappointing” response from New Zealand organisations.

The chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Industry and Trade (Senator E. W. Prowse) tabled the committee’s interim report in Parliament today. “On the whole, the committee has been pleased by the response, especially by Australian companies and industry organisations. “On the other hand, the response from New Zealand has, to date, been disappointing, the only direct evidence coming from one source in that country. “The committee is still hopeful that further information can be obtained from New Zealand sources which would enable it to form a more complete assessment of the important issues and assertions made by interested parties," said Senator Prowse.

As part of its general investigation of Australia’s foreign trade, the committee

chose N.A.F.T.A. as its first topic, and had devoted much of its attention to an examination of the working of the agreement. Attention had also been directed towards competition and co-operation in third markets, shipping, defence procurement, and New Zealand import licensing. The committee hopes to table its report early in the next sitting of the new Parliament.