TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 138, 28 May 1912, Page 4

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA.

One good result of Sir Joseph Ward’s visit to Australia is to be found in the re-awakening of interest in the question of reciprocity between Australia and New Zealand. Previous attempts to do good in this direction were not such as to inspire us with confidence of success, but the evident earnestness with which Mr. Fisher has approached the subject should lead to good results. His sentiments have not found a very hearty echo in New Zealand, but education of the people to the benefits of unrestricted trade with the Commonwealth should materially assist to bring about an understanding. Mr. Fisher declares he would be prepared to go the length of absolute freetrade between, the two countries, and it is a pity the New Zealand Premier cannot make an equally frank statement. There is, however, in this Dominion a section of the people which weeps copiously every time it :s proposed to interfere with the tariff. They are either financially connected with spoon-fed industries, or have been gulled into the belief that the industrial progress of the country demands that the whole population should be bled to support a few weak-kneed industries. The free exchange of trade with Australia would be of great benefit to our people, and in many ways the benefit would be returned. Only the barriers of prejudice remain, and we sincerely hope that pending political changes may witness their removal.