Optimistic about closer ties

Press, 26 September 1980, Page 14

Optimistic about closer ties

Australian farming leader, Mr D. Eckersley, who was in Canterbury last week comes from Western Australia. He is president of the relatively new Australian National Farmers’ Federation and it costs about $650 for him to fly from Perth to Canberra and back on official busiThe theme of closer relations between New Zealand and Australian farmers within the framework of closer, trading relations between the two countries generally was an import-

ant aspect of his trip and it has been jokingly suggested that the leader of Federated Farmers in New Zealand, Mr A. F. Wright, could fly to Canberra and .back for less than his Australian counterpart, and this is indeed the case. Inquiries made this week showed that it would be possible ■ to fly from Christchurch to Canberra by Sydney and back for just over $4OO, including tax, if the reservation was made at least 21 days in advance. It is a reflection of Aus-

tralia’s great distances, and Mr Eckersley says that travel will cost the federation this year more than $lOO,OOO, although in his case it does not always have to foot the full bill as he has to go to Canberra for other official reasons as well. Mr Eckersley is optimistic about the prospects of the two farming industries working closer together. The Australian federation is looking at the impact of free trade on agricultural produce dn a commodity by commodity basis, with a position paper now in the process of being prepared for each commodity. In the continuing talks between the two countries six or eight people, each representing a, particular agricultural commodity, will be coming from Australia in December for talks with their opposite numbers in New Zealand. While Mr Eckersley does not expect finality to be reached as a result of the December consultations, although it might be in one or two areas, he is optimistic that “a high degree of agreement” will ultimately be

reached. There could be some areas that would take longer to' resolve than others, he said, but he feels that with goodwill and sitting- round a table they will also be resolved.

There is a good rapport between Australian and New Zealand fanners, he says, and they have a great deal of respect for each other.

Already there was a great deal of exchange of technological and research information between the two countries, that each side valued highly. One possible problem area between the two countries was horticulture, he said, but it did not represent a big part of the trade between the two countries,.

In discussing State support for farming in the two countries, Mr Eckers-> ley said that Australian farmers had the impression that farmers in New Zealand received more consideration, but he. did not think . that it made them envious of New Zealand fanners.j—. it. rather made thein more terse with their own Government, t