The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1938. THE- OTTAWA AGREEMENTS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 151, 23 March 1938, Page 10

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1938. THE- OTTAWA AGREEMENTS

Mention in the news yesterday of the departure of three members of the Australian Federal Government and a party of advisory officials for London in connection with the impending revision of the Ottawa agreements again raises the question as to what is .the position of this country in the same connection. The Prime Minister, in reply to a question yesterday on the subject, said that Australia was doing now what New Zealand did a year ago. “Our views on the revision of .he Ottawa agreements and on the effect on New Zealand trade of any change that might be contemplated,” said .Mr. Savage, were discussec. thoroughly when Mr. Nash and I were in London. It is, there.ore, not necessary for us to send any delegation.” • According to Mr. Nash on his return from London the trade policy of the New Zealand Government, as presented in London, was as follows: — (1) The United Kingdom with minor qualifications would be offered a full market in New Zealand for its manufactures and raw materials equal in value to the balance of credits from the sale of “ New Zealand products in the United Kingdom after providing for (a) shipping charges, (b) invisible items, (c) debt services, (a) a proportionate sum for the reduction of New Zealand loans in the If agreement could be reached the United Kingdom in certain cases would be given the complete market in New Zealand for special manufactures of a type that were not produced in New Zealand. In special cases New Zealand would give preference to United Kingdom manufacturers or producers desifing to install and Operate plants in New Zealand for the production of commodities at present imported. . . 1 r (3) New Zealand’s secondary industries to be extended, but not by reducing the total volume of United Kingdom export trade to New Zealand. Mr. Nash added that the negotiations had not then been completed. “The present position is that the New Zealand Government is investigating the commodities that can be imported from the United Kingdom without ill-affecting New Zealand’s manufacturing economy, and that the United Kingdom’s policy in regard to New Zealand imports will be determined when the United Kingdom’s agricultural policy has-been finalised.” The above-quoted basis of New Zealand-United Kingdom trade relationships impinges directly upon the Ottawa agreements. We cannot recall any statement, other than the above, concerning the outcome of these negotiations. The Prime Minister declined to allow any discussion in Parliament of the recent tariff alterations made to adjust the balance of competition as between the British and New .Zealand manufacturers. Yet that was an occasion on which information concerning the position regarding the Ottawa agreements could quite Properly have been sought, and supplied. The agreements expire this year. Mr. Savage says that the British Government fully understands the New Zealand Government’s views. Has the British Government accepted these views ? What exactly is the position.