'C.E.R. should give job opportunities’

Press, 20 August 1982, Page 3

'C.E.R. should give job opportunities’

Parliamentary reporter -

Closer economic relations with Australia should not lead to any over-all increase in unemployment in NewZealand. the Minister of Trade and Industry (Mr Templeton) has told Parliament in reply to a written question. C.E.R. would be a balanced package that would provide opportunities for New Zealand to develop newtrade for a combined market of 18 million people. It should create new work opportunities. Asked by Mr M. K. Moore (Labour. Papanui) about the implications of C.E.R for the clothing, motor-vehicle, rubber and plastics industries, Mr Templeton said that these had been put in the deferred category. They would be subject to modified arrangements to allow for a transition to C.E.R. so that they could maximise their opportunities. Trade Unions, with all in-

terested parties, would have the opportunity to consult on industry’ plans before the Government made any final decision.

Asked what decisions had been made about who would receive exclusive Australian licences, Mr Templeton said that half would probably be allocated to manufacturers of the product concerned. The other half would be put to public tender. The full guidelines on the allocation of exclusive Australian licences would be finalised soon. Mr Templeton said that no specific programmes were being developed for job retraining. or for industries to overcome problems caused by C.E.R. With the gradual pace provided for in the agreement, industries would have time to adjust to the new trading environment. The Senate was told in Canberra yesterday that the development of closer economic relations could damage

some Australian industry, particularly in Tasmania. Senator Peter Rae. a Liberal member for Tasmania, said that there were fears C.E.R. could be of considerable advantage to New Zealand. and he called for an Industries Assistance Commission inquiry into the agreement. He said that Tasmania would come off worst in the ■deal. There would be a time in the development of C.E.R. when New Zealand would be able to export to Australia with competitive advantage, he said. In Adelaide yesterday, the South Australian Minister of Agriculture. Mr Edward Chapman, said that New Zealand had to drop its import restrictions immediately if C.E.R. with Australia was to work. He said that he would like all barriers to trade on both sides of the Tasman removed from day one of C.E.R.. at the beginning of next year.