TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA.

Grey River Argus, 29 November 1920, Page 3

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA.

QUESTION OF RECIPROCITY. >■ WELLINGTON, November 25. Better customs tariff relations with Australia was the subject of a discusIsion at the New Zealand Chamber of / Commerce Conference to-day. Mr J. T. Martin, on behalf of the Wellington Chamber, moved: "That the Government be urged to enter into negotiations with the Coinnionvoalth, authorities Avith the object of arranging a reciprocal Customs tariff between Ncav Zealand and Australia."' \ The mover of the motion said that the Customs basis of our trade with, Australia was not on a satisfactory basis. Last year we imported irom the" Commonwealth, goods to the value of £0,000,000, and exported £1,761,000 worth. It was a" mistake that our interests were not represented at the Commission which, considered the new Australian tariff. The duty had pre- >' ;-vented us this season sending 100,000 sacks of oats to Australia and receiving 5s 6d per bushel, and as a result prices hero had fallen to . 4s 6d. But for the tariff being against ; us,. Ncav Zealand would have had an increased return of £30,000 from oats. The loss to this country in noii-cxport ation of oats and potatoes to Australia amounted to £430,000 last year: Mr W. M. Tyres, moved as an amend ment th'c addition of the following words: "Provided that no arrangement should be made ■whiclydiscriminatcs against the manufacturers of the % United Kingdom." The amendment was accepted and the motion thus amended Avas adopted.. It Avas decided on. the motion of Mr Orchard (Canterbury), "That in accordance with the representations of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce, .Australian Avines be admitted into Ncav Zealand as Regards Customs duty on terms as favourable as those rtceord- : od to any other country, provided Ncv/ Zealand exports to Australia be adMriitted into.Australia on equally, favourable terms as sfmilar goods imported from Australia into Noav Zealand.;; The next Conference was fixed for jDhristchureh. . _