TRADE WITH AMERICA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 112, 13 April 1936, Page 6

TRADE WITH AMERICA.

The Commonwealth authorities have drawn the attention of the United States Government to the large adverse balance of trade between the two countries. Washington has been advised that the matter is one that must be rectified, and the figures as published show that Australia is not acting without » complete justification. New Zealand is in a similar position to Australia, though her trade with the United States is, of course, very much less than her neighbour’s. Nevertheless, the adverse balance is not a matter to be viewed other than seriously. Since -1933 exports from this Dominion--: to the United States have grown from £1,189,000 to £2,4.68,000, a matter of £279,000; while imports have almost doubled, the respective to-

tals being- £2,383,500 and £4,534,000. In the matter of trade the United States acts a very selfish part. For several years her tariffs were raised to such heights that agricultural countries could not dispose of their products in one 'of the world’s greatest markets. European countries retaliated, with the result that American goods were penalised. Both New Zealand and Australia have been at a severe disadvantage owing to these tariff rates, but the American manufacturer by his methods of production is able to meet our general tariff rates. Australia’s complaint has received a cool reception in Washington, leaving the impression that the present Administration, which has legislative power to enter into'trade 'agreements of mutual benefit, is not anxious to do so. The Labour Government in this Dominion has stated its intention to arrange trade pacts with foreign countries to widen our,overseas markets, and it is quite likely that the United States may have to face the same complaint that Australia has addressed to Washington. With Britain our only market of any consequence, it is manifestly unfair that America should enjoy such an excellent market here, for after all reexports of New Ze'aland produce from Britain across the Atlantic cannot be of much consequence.