Tasman trade talks near crucial stage

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 1

Tasman trade talks near crucial stage

NZPA Staff Correspondent

Sydney

Detailed discussions on a closer economic relationship between New Zealand and Australia are being held in Canberra this week.

Officials frorh both countries began talks late last week in preparation for the annual New ZealandAustralia Free Trade Association. Ministerial meeting but they have,also been discussing details ' of the new relationship as outlined in Wellington in March . There the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) and the Australian Prime ‘Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser') set but the ; framework ; for further detailed and . expansive ‘studies, by officials. '■ :.As well this, week jn Canberra . the.. ■Australian National’ University is holding '<a three?,day. conference oneconomic relations be--.tween the.two, countries. -' .New ' 'Zealand' officials, headed by the Secretary of Trade and Industry (Mr J. W. H. Clarke) meet their counterparts again in Canberratoday, and the N.A.F.T.A. Ministerial discussions are set down for tomorrow and Wednesday.

The Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Taiboys) will be at the talks along with’ the Minister of Trade and Industry (Mr AdamsSchneider). Australian officials have noted that although talks on the detailed studies on closer economic , cooperation are being held, much more work has to be done and a final agreement

could be at least two years away: Mr Muldoon- has twice recently warned about problems with the exercise. In his Budget speech he said that certain problems had . been identified "arid if these could not be surmounted the exercise would have to be. abandoned.' Last month, in an. address in Auckland, he said the attitudes of Australian officials and manufacturers did not raise hopes for closer, Tasman cooperation. The Australians .were; tougher on free trade than they had ever been, Mr Muldoon said. «'■ ; : The officials have been reviewing their programnie of. studies which, mainly involved a review, of tariffs to identify products that would .fall into ; three main - categories.

These were those which would move immediately to duty-free treatment, for example’ those with tariffs at 10 per cent or less; those ’ for which duties would be phased out over five years;' and:’those on which a decision would: be deferred -for special reasons, such as where an official industry inquiry was planned or under way. . ' ’ • ' One issue in contention, which could have had an impact on the closer economic talks, was New

Zealand cheese exports to Australia. At present New Zealand has duty-free access for 1200 tonnes of cheddar and unrestricted duty-free access for other varieties.

However, the chairman of the Australian Dairy Corporation and dairy industry Conference on Friday said that New Zealand had agreed voluntarily to limit the ammount of cheese it sends to Australia.

They said it had beeri agreed that for. 1980 New Zealand would voluntarily hold its cheese exports to Australia to the 1979 level —about 5000 tonnes.

As well, a joint consultative committee .of representatives of the New Zealand Dairy Board, the Australian Dairy Corporation and the respective industries will be ; established to review arrangements each year. The university conference has attracted top academics, businessmen, trade unionists and others from both countries..

Topics will range over energy, agriculture and forest’ products, sea transport, manufacturing arid industrial adjustment and implications for the trade union movements.

Mr Taiboys and, Australia’s Minister for Trade (Mr Doug Anthony) are expected to address the opening session tomorrow.