TRADE AGREEMENTS

Evening Post, Issue 12, 14 July 1936, Page 6

TRADE AGREEMENTS

NEW ZEALAND POLICY

ORDER OF PREFERENCE

(By TcloHnnili.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, July 13.

An intimation of the order in which the Government intends to negotiate was given by the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash) in reply to a communication from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, which conveyed the information that there was an impression in Japan that the Government would limit imports from that

'country.

The secretary of ■ the Auckland chamber wrote to the Minister as follows: —"Some of the Auckland export houses have received advice from Japan which indicates that from recent pronouncements by you it is expected in Japan that the New Zealand Government will follow Australia's recent action in connection with imports from that country, and that as a result Japan will adopt retaliatory measures against New Zealand products. The export houses concerned are desirous of knowing as soon as possible what the future holds for them in connection with their trade with Japan, and I am therefore asked to inquire whether you would be good enough to state with some measure of particularity your intention (if any) regarding the future of imports from Japan."

■To this letter the Minister replied: "I have received your letter concerning the question of the Japanese and New Zealand trade agreement. As you know, such an agreement exists at the present time, and the New Zealand Government intends to negotiate reciprocal agreements with, first of all, the United Kingdom,.next with all countries of the British Commonwealth, and finally with the remaining countries. This covers the Government's intention concerning trade agreements."