EXPORT OF APPLES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 14 January 1938, Page 4

EXPORT OF APPLES

TRADE PACT WITH THE NETHERLANDS RESULT OF MR NASH'S VISIT (By Telegraph —Press Association] WELLINGTON, This Day. A notice in last night’s issue of (he “New Zealand Gazette’’ announces the conclusion of a T adc Agreement between New Zealand and the Netherlands. In an interview last night, the Minister of Customs, Hon. W. Nash, stated that the Arrangement takes the form of an exchange of letters between himself and the Consul-General of the Netherlands for Australia and New Zealand, Sydney, and became effective that day. The Arrangement brings to completion negotiations commenced by Mr Nash during his visit to The Hague on 29th June last, when discussions took place between himself and representatives of the Netherlands Government respecting trade between the Netherlands and New Zealand. RECENT TRADE FIGURES The figures of trade during recent years have been as follows: —

“Exports to the Netherlands consist principally of hides and wool, and it would appear that outside these there is little prospect of development of any substantial trade in any product other than fruit,” Mr Nash said. “The Netherlands is herself a large producer of dairy products and is a very small importer of meat.

“New Zealand at present enjoys some trade in apples with the Netherlands through whic'i considerable quantities are also distributed to central European countries. The primary purpose of the proposed Trade Arrangement is to safeguard and expand the trade in apples.”

Under the Trade Agreement made between the Netherlands and the United States in 1935, a reduction was made in the monopoly fee payable on fresh apples and pears entering the Netherlands from four to two cents per kilo, equivalent to approximately Is (sterling) per bushel case, Mr Nash continued.

As a result of representations the Netherlands Government has since that time extended a similar concession to New Zaeland fruit to the extent of 690,000 kilos of apples (approximately 34,000 cases) and 12,000 kilos of pears, it being understood that negotiations would be undertaken when opportunity permitted with a view to the conclusion of a trade agreement.

CONSIDERABLE ASSISTANCE “Under the arrangement now entered into, the Netherlands Government agrees to permit the importation into the Netherlands of New Zealand fresh apples to a miximum quantity of 1400 metric tons (approximately 70,000 cases) during the period Ist March to 30th June each year at the reduced monopoly fee of two cents a gross kilo. This means that double the quantity hitherto admitted on this basis may now be imported, and it is felt,” said Mr Nash, "that this concession should be of considerable assistance in finding a market for New Zealand fruit.”

It is understood that pears are to be admitted on the same basis as hither-

“A concession has also been made in respect of raw animal fat for which a quota has been granted to the extent of 1000 metric tons per annum,” Mr ! Nash said. “Quotas in respect of this ' product are granted on the basis of ■ 25 per cent, of the average importation j from the country concerned during the years 1929, 1930. and 1931, and as New I Zealand was not a supplier during j that period she was not entitled to a I quota. It is thought that there may 'be a possibility of developing some 1 trade in this product.

MOST-FAVOURED-NATION TREATMENT

“This Dominion undertakes, under the Arrangement to extend to the , Netherlands goods most-favoured-na-j tion treatment in respect of tariff I items 76, cigars; 121 (1), medicinal | preparations; 338 (1) to (8) inclusive land (10) electrical goods: 352, IndusI trial machinery; and 397 (6), kalsomine. These items are ncluded in the ! agreements already concluded with

Belgium and Germany, and no new concessions are involved, “the Minister stated.

*C 1 0 -C c l! ilif 2 js a s &f S3 J 2 o Q £ < N.Z. > £(N.Z> 1933 64,372 116.706 1934 164.562 139.611 1935 78.585 161.480 1936 111.706 210.397 1937 (11 months) 110.966 248.871