Aust. talks ’urgent’

Press, 5 July 1977, Page 2

Aust. talks ’urgent’

PA Wellington The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) yesterday urged the Minister of Trade and Industry (Mr Adams-Schneider) to go to Canberra immediately to head off a “very dangerous development” in trade with Australia. “Unless the Government moves decisively to protect the position of ’ew Zealand manufacturers, our markets will be closed off and massive lay-offs will occur in local industry,” said Mr Rowling.

“It has now been reseated by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation that, except wheie items are covered by N.A.F.T.A.. all New Zealand exports to Australia will come under the world quotas that country has imposed on im ports.” Mr Rowfing said that dozens of New Zealand firms in the whiteware (appliances/, furniture, apparel, footwear and power cable industries would be hard hit if their products were included in a world quota. "The future of S7OM

worth of manufactured exports is at stake,” he said. “New Zealand will get out of the economic mire only by increasing exports. The manufacturers have responded to the call by increasing exports, but now they fi»id the Government is so incapable of handling the Australian relationship that the shutters are being brought down on New Zealand products. “The Minister of Trade and Industry should pack his bags immediately, and go to Canberra to head off this very dangerous development.”