RECIPROCITY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 April 1922, Page 5

RECIPROCITY

ANSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND,

REMARKS BY THE PREMIER,

(By Telegraph—Special to the Star.) WELLINGTON, April 12. The Prime Minister stated to-day i that he had been advised by the Minister for Customs (the Hon. Downie j Stewart) that lie had completed his labours in Australia in connection with the negotiation of a reciprocal customs treaty and would return to the Dominion by the first available steamer. Mr Massey said the Minister gave no indication in his message as to the nature , of the agreement arrived at, or whether |he considered it satisfactory. It was quite possible that a provisional agreement had been made with some points left for final settlement after consultation with the respective Governments. When the treaty is in final form it must be submitted to the New Zealand Parliament for ratification Alterations in the tariff made necessary by the treaty,if successfully negotiated will be provided for by Order-in-Council under the terms of the Customs i amendment. No such Order-in-Council : can have effect unless and until it is I ratified by Parliament. Under these j circumstances the operation of the treaty cannot commence before Parliament meets next session, and probably will commence in June.