TRADE PACT NEGOTIATIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1937, Page 7

TRADE PACT NEGOTIATIONS

AUSTRALIA’S CHANGED POLICY

“OTTAWA” MODIFIED

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

(Rec. Dec. 10, 1 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 10.

The “Herald’s” Canberra correspondent says that Australia’s trade relations will be completely recast within the next few months. The principles that have stood since the Ottawa agreement was signed will be substantially modified, and some may even be abandoned. The concessions that Australia enjoys may have to be abandoned, so that others may be obtained, and the concessions which she now grants may have to be withdrawn, and others substituted. The crux of the problem is a review pf the Ottawa agreement, and the completion of an agreement with the United States, but the bargaining will extend to other parts of the Empire, and foreign countries.

The announcements that the trade diversion policy will be abandoned, and that Mr. White will leave for New Zealand to-day, are a prelude to the important period of negotiation ahead. The importance attached to Mr. White’s mission is indicated ’by the fact that he will be accompanied by Mr. J. Fletcher, one of the senior officers of the Customs Department, and Mr. E. McCarthy, of the Commerce Department. Mr. Latham Withall, secretary of the Associated Chambers of Manufacturers, will alsQ go to New Zealand, to examine the trade position. The “Telegraph’s” Melbourne correspondent says that Mr. White, before leaving Sydney to catch the Awatea, admitted that pressure from the Dominion Government had dictated his hurried visit.

N.Z. MANUFACTURERS

WELLINGTON, Dec. 10.

The New Zealand Manufacturers’ Association, in a statement commenting on the New Zealand Farmers’ Union protest against any increase in the Customs tariff says: It creates a division of town and country interests, which is most undesirable. It is now admitted generally, that balanced economy for New Zealand would allow the country better to withstand violent fluctuations, such as those of the past, and would also provide a reasonable prospect of employment to many thousands who could not possibly find a place on the land. The manufacturing industries felt that there was a reasonable basis for our national life, which would protect all interests, with the maximum benefit to the community. This.could not be achieved in a situation where lessened' outputs were resulting in the daily shortening of staffs in many industries.

MIDLANDS’ ATTITUDE.

(Recd. December 10, Noon.) , LONDON, December 9.

Mr Savage’s prompt reply to the British footwear traders regarding New Zealand’s higher tariff soundings, has eased the tension among the Midland manufacturers, who are reported to be more conciliatory, and waiting to learn the extent of the threat to exports, before making a further move.

Mr Savage’s statement was published fully in the Leicester newspapers, which led to hostility, and has resulted in a saner outlook, and the removal of fears that New Zea-' land’s dairy produce campaign in the Midlands might be, seriously affected.

BRITAIN’S AGREEMENTS.

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, December 9.

Asked in the Commons if, in view of the mounting adverse trade balance with countries with which Britain had trade agreements, he would give notice to terminate such agreements where the original time limit had expired 1 , with a view to making fresh agreements more favourable to Britain, the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade replied in the negative. He said that the President of the Board of Trade did not regard the increased adverse balance of visible trade as sufficient reason itself for the action suggested.