AUSTRALIAN ORANGES

Evening Star, Issue 22087, 22 July 1935, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN ORANGES

NEGOTIATION FOR FREER IMPORTS [Pm Uhited Pebbs Absocusiok3 AUCKLAND, July 32, “ I have been inquiring concerning the orange situation in order to pave the way for the negotiations which are to take' place . between the Australian Minister for Commerce and the -New. Zealand Government, probably before the end of the year,’’ said Mr R. H. Nesbitt, the Australian Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, on his arrival by the Aorangi. He was hopeful that the outcome of the negotiations would be greater freedom of importation by New Zealand of Australian citrus fruits in return for Australia accepting a reasonable quantity of ■ New Zealand, potatoes. The trade figures for 1934 showed that New Zealand purchased from .Australia £3,200,000 worth of goods, while Australia bought only £1,600,000 worth from the Dominion. He noted with pleasure that New Zealand’s exports oK fish had nearly doubled in the last 12 months, and exports of softwood timbers had increased by 25 per cent.,and were still increasing. . Mr Nesbitt said he found a general opinion in Australia , that New Zealand should have favoured treatment. The personnel of the Commonwealth delegation to New Zealand was still uncertain. He pointed out that Messrs Lyons and Forbes were both due to arrive at Auckand oh August 9, tod it was likely the two Prime Minister* would have a preliminary discussion. There were many other subjects besides oranges and potatoes which needed discussion.