TRADE CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 21881, 19 November 1934, Page 9

TRADE CONFERENCE

AUSTRALIA AKD NEW ZEALAND MNimtN MINISTERS IN SYDNEY Reis Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, November 18. Messrs J. G. Coates and R. Masters had a very rough trip, and are glad to be in port. They were met at the wharf by Dr Earle Page (Deputy Prime Minister)! Mr F. H. Stewart, Sir Henry Gullett, Mr L. Schmitt, and others. The visiting Ministers, who are staying at the Hotel Australia, expect to remain in Sydney for a week, and will participate in the royal festivities. They will also attend a complimentary dinner to Mr J. G. Latham, the former Federal Attorney-General, io-morrOw night. They will then go to Canberra for the trade conference. Interviewed to-night Mr Masters said that the trade agreement between Australia and New Zealand was working satisfactorily from the viewpoint of both countries, but there were certain aspects on which there should be a closer understanding. There were also certain matters arising from the New Zealand tariff which needed further consideration.

Mr Coates supplemented the interview by saying that, apart from trade questions, there were some things or % wider nature in which the Commonwealth and the dominion were naturally interested and in which an exchange of views was both desirable and necessary. Australia and New Zealand were friendly rivals, supplying ■imilar commodities to the United Kingdom. A heart-to-heart talk on this subject was bound to have good results. Mr Coates acknowledged. Mr Masters emphasised that during the past ten years the balance of trade was in favour of Australia, by between £15,000,000 and £20,000,000. It was interesting to note that out or 21 classes of goods exported by Australia New Zealand was the largest purchaser of 14 classes, and despite the fact that the balance would meyitably continue in favour of Australia, the dominion was very desirous ot establishing the best two-way trade possible. HP himself advocated speedy and safe development of air travel. • • We have some admirable ships crossing the Tasman, but there are still gome poor sailors amongst u?. Personally, I feel safer travelling by air than by, other means.”