DOMINION'S PART

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 122, 19 November 1938, Page 9

DOMINION'S PART

CONCESSIONS MADE

IMPROVING MARKETS

The extent of New Zealand's participation in the agreement just entered into by the United Kingdom and the United States was explained by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) in a statement last night. Mr. Savage said that the consummation of the agreement, which would have the effect of bringing the two great English-speaking countries into closer relationship, was an event much to be desired, and he was sure that it would be looked upon with much satisfaction by the people in New Zealand as well as .throughout the Empire.

The agreement, said Mr. Savage, aimed primarily at an expansion of trade between the two contracting countries, but it was to be expected that it would have much wider influences. To the extent that the agreement gave a stimulus to trade New Zealand stood to gain, in that the markets for its products in both the United Kingdom and the United States might be improved. The difficulties surrounding the making of an agreement of such a nature and which involved the consideration of so many questions and conflicting interests were tremendous, and no small measure of praise was, he thought, due to those responsible for the success of the negotiations. The conclusion of the agreement, was facilitated by the co-operation of the Dominions in forgoing their rights to certain preferences fixed under the Ottawa Agreements. New Zealand's contribution to, the agreement was represented by concurrence along with other Dominions in the reduction of duties fixed in accord with the Ottawa Agreement in respect of apples, pears, and honey entering the United Kingdom from foreign countries. The following concessions had been made in favour of the United States products in question:— Apples.—Duty reduced during the period August 16 to April 15, from 4s 6d to 3s a cwt. Pears. —Duty reduced during the period August 1 to January 31, from 4s 6d to 3s a cwt. Honey.—Duty reduced from 7s to 5s a cwt. "The extent to which the market in the United Kingdom for New Zealand's products may be affected by these concessions would remain to be seen." said Mr. Savage. "However, I feel that the possibilities underlying the agreement are such that it is one to which this Dominion might reasonably contribute even if doing so entails some measure of sacrifice." Mr. Savage said that the question of New Zealand's entering into negotiations with the United States with a view to the conclusion of a trade agreement would be considered when the time was opportune. The position had been fully discussed by the Minister of Customs, Mr. Nash, when in Washington last year.