TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 20 April 1935, Page 4

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA

Negotiations for Agreement to be Held in Abeyance MAJOR NATIONAL PROBLEMS DISCUSSIONS IN LONDON

(By Titoffraph—Press Association. 7 STRIATFORD, To-day. Asked whether conversations are likely to be resumed -in the near future between New Zealand and Australian Governments relative to a, trade agreement, the Hon. R- Masters stated that it was doubtful if the negotiations which had been carried to a certain stage bv the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates- and himself w r ould be reopened just at present. “The general impression in the mind of the public appears to be that the whole negotiations centre round the question of the export of potatoes by New' Zealand, and the export of citrus by the Commonwealth,” said Mr Masters. “I wish to make it clear that, important though these two commodities are, there are major problems of much greater national importance to be decided. For instance, New' Zealand’s present adverse trade balance must be reduced; and, w'hilst I appreciate that we cannot hope for, nor expect, a perfectly balanced trade in view of the greater diversity of goods manufactured in the Commonwealth, we must at the same time strive to obtain a- closer approximation of our ideal. In this direction adjustments arising out of our recently amended tariff legislation also call for consideration, and in addition there is the important question of the diversion of trade from; the United Kingdom to Australia, which at present is receiving the consideration of both governments. “During the visit of the Premier and Mr Coates to London, matters relating to the trade of both Dominions w'ill be fully discussed, and, as these discussions have a definite bearing upon trade between Australia and New Zealand, it is possible that the suggested -conversations between the Australian and New Zealand Ministers will be delayed. I may say that if the Commonwealth Government decides to send a representative to New Zealand to discuss trade questions, including those mentioned, w'e will be pleased to meet them and do our utmost to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. It is the desire of both Governments to bring about a condition of trade of benefit to both countries, because! it is obvious that an agreement which is not satisfactory to Both parties cannot be lasting.”