TARIFF PROBLEMS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 24 March 1922, Page 8

TARIFF PROBLEMS.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

. SYDNEY, March 8. •1 o bring about more satisfactory trade relations between Australia and New Zealand is the mission of Mr Dowme Stewart, New Zealand Minister w « ™ms who > accompanied by Mr W. B. Montgomery (Chief Controller of Customs), Mr L. E. Johnson (private secretary), an d his sister (Miss Downie Stewart), arrived in Sydney by the Uhmaroa last night. Speaking to a Herald representative, Mr Downie Stewart said his visit had been made wiih a view to bringing to a conclusion negotiations in conned turn with tariff matters between" the New Zealand Government and the Federal Government. As was well known, New Zealand had found it necessary to place Australia on a general tariff in order to put herself in a position to negotiate for better terms than those hitherto enjoyed under the Australian tariff. This action was taken while the Customs tariff was being put through the New Zealand Parliament in November last. Thereafter cables passed between the two Governments with a view to seeing whether some provi- "°, n, al arrangement could be made. iJirnculties were experienced in coming to such an arrangement, and when the session of the New Zealand Parliament had terminated ft friendly invitation was extended by the Federal Government to himself as Minister of Customs to visit Australia in order to, if possible, expedite a settlement of the matters under negotiation. "It has been said," remarked Mr Downie Stewart, "that business can stand anything save uncertainty, and it will be greatly in the interest of both countries—and more particularly of Australia-if matters can be placed on a more satisfactory footing at a* early a date as possible."! Asked if he could more explicitly state the nature of the negotiations or pf the matters about which there apter said: "Although the matter ia often referred to as a reciprocity treaty, it would,probably be more correct to refer to it as an attempt to a?r«f™ ? eff A6Cfc a more stable trade iwlTTt' As * matter of fact we deland1 and A ho Ps *? put the business relaa £L i ns£ alia- and New. Zealand on a better footing. That being the case, lL W!^i I ? ink ' be P^mature t« dicate the details of the pronoeed negotiations at the present time »