The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, September 21, 1944 N.Z. POST-WAR TRADE.

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1944, Page 4

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, September 21, 1944 N.Z. POST-WAR TRADE.

While importers have continued to oppose import regulation, the Associated Chambers of Commerce have had a representative in Australia ‘ studying post-war prospects for exports. The Government has assured the import ers that, while preference remains its attitude towards Britain, that country’s post-Avar export plans require consideration before future plans can be made.. It is probable there will be changes in those plans, but it will be a long time, in any case, before the pre-war range of goods can be expected. On the other hand, Australian manufacturing lias in wartime undergone enormous expansion, -and New Zealand must present itself as a handy market. The visit of Mr Heany, the Chambers of Commerce National Secretary, _to study opportunities for trading reciprocity, is therefore very timely. As he has pointed out to the Australians, the balance -of trade hitherto has been in favour of Australia, whose primary producers have been no more accommodating thaji those of America in the matter of meeting outside competition on their home market. In the course of past decades, however, manufacturing interests have increased their influence in the Commonwealth, and. with the possible support of workers in industry, they may be able to secure the admission of New Zealand products, such as potatoes, dairy byproducts, fruit, vegetables, and tobacco. Thereby would the way be paved for a reciprocal entry of manufactures to this country; There is now more reason than ever for reciprocity in trade as well as in defence. New Zealand stayed out of federation, but she is in a position to play a complementary part within the range of Southern Pacific commerce. There are also such things as timber and its derivatives which might be thrown into the scales. We are unlikely to approach Australia as a mass-producer of manufactures. At the same time, while protecting our own, those of the Commonwealth should prove in future equal to any, and at least as cheap, allowing for greater proximity. Trans-Tas-man traffic has never been as great as it could have been, but the war supply situation has illustrated how much greater is the scope for co-operation and reciprocity than had previously been thought possible. The Pacific Supply Council has taught lessons of lasting importance, although' the secrecy necessary in that connection may have hidden them from most people. New Zealand should in future be in a better position to bargain with Australia. That country is likely to require an enlarged share of our market more urgently than we shall need a larger share of her own. Her range of manufactures is going to be very wide indeed, and it will be probably a case of -conceding the equivalent of exports to countries willing to admit them. Certainly the two countries are competitors in pastoral production, and Australia is the greatest ’’of all wool exporters, so that she is apt to look well beyond New Zealand. Nevertheless. New Zealand probably will be disposed to look more to Australia for the future, and if that country is ready to make the most of its opportunity here, a much better trading agreement can be obtained.