NEW ZEALAND DELEGATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 November 1934, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND DELEGATION

LEAVING FOR AUSTRALIA TWO MINISTERS INCLUDED IMPORTANT MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED (By Telegraph— PreßS Association) WELLINGTON, 13th November. Important telephonic conversations took place last evening between the Prime Minister of Australia (the Rt. Hon. J. A. Lyons) and the New Zealand Minister of Finance (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates), and to-day it was announced that a Ministerial delegation, headed by Mr Coates and the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. R. Masters), would leave Wellington for Australia by the Monowai on Thursday to carry out discussions, mainly on trade questions, with Commonwealth Ministers. The members of the delegation, which will be absent from New Zealand for about a month, will be Mr and Mrs Coates, Mr and Mrs Masters, the Comptroller of Customs (Dr. G. Craig), the private secretary to the Minister of Finance (Dr. R. M. Campbell), and the personal secretary to the Minister of Finance (Miss H. D. Montague). THE MEAT SITUATION In view of the serious view taken both in Australia and New Zealand of the possibility of heavy restrictions being placed on the export of meat to Great Britain, it is certain that the quota issue Will be one of tile main topics of discussion between the representatives of the two Governments. It is believed that in his conversations with Mr Coates last evening Mr Lyons emphasised how vital a question the meat quota issue was, and suggested that the earliest opportunity should be taken of holding a round-table conference in the hope of reaching some common basis of thought and action. In this Mr Coates concurred, and it vvas agreed that it was desirable for the New Zealand delegation to leave New Zealand at the earliest possible moment. Reports from Australia indicate that suggested action by the British Gov-, eminent in the direction of imposing a quota on beef has caused consternation in the Commonwealth, and although New Zealand opinion has been more restrained, there is no gainsaying that those closely in touch with the position are perturbed as to the possible outcome. Officially, the New Zealand Government has been content to await the result of the negotiations at present proceeding in London and at which the Dominion is directly represented by the chairman of the Meat Producers’ Board (Mr D. Jones). The Government has been closely informed of developments, but lias careful not to disclose their nature. Mr Forbes indicated the other day that details of the discussions could not be disclosed until the consent of the British Government had been obtained.

Another important matter that will come before Ministers at Canberra is that of subsidised foreign shipping. Negotiations on this point have already been carried a certain distance, and both Governments are in agreement that there is a danger to New Zealand and Australian shipping. Recently the Commonwealth Government indicated its willingness to consult with the New Zealand Government with a view to safeguarding the mutual shipping interests of the two countries, and the opportunity to give effect to this desire will no doubt be taken while Mr Coates and Mr Masters are in Australia.

Various aspects of the AustraliaNew Zealand Trade Treaty will be discussed, particularly in reference to the embargoes on Australian fruit and New Zealand potatoes. Certain matters in connection with the commercial banks in Australia and New Zealand will also be discussed.