TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13368, 24 December 1906, Page 8

TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

RECIPROCITY. TREATY FAVOURS

NEW ZEALAND.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Saturday. Speaking to a New Zealand Times reporter on the South African reciprocity treaty announced by him last night, the Premier said there was at present practically no trade from South Africa to New.Zealand; it was all from New Zealand to South .Africa. There was practically no sacrifice on the part of New Zealand; that was estimating the loss of revenue on the basis of the previous import trade. 'The rebate on tobacco referred to the South African product, and the duty levied on tea applied to foreign tea. At present tea from British possessions was duty free, but foreign tea was subject to a duty of 2d per lb. Sir Joseph said he tried to get the duty on feathers kept as at present (viz., at 25 per cent.), but the South African Government would not entertain this proposal. The only wine made in South Africa was a sort of Constantia, of which none was at present imported into New Zealand. The Premier emphasised the point that New Zealand was doing an export trade at present in all products on which South Africa had made concessions, while South Africa had practically no trade on which she (South Africa) was receiving concessions from us. South Africa wanted a concession of 6s per gallon on spirits, but the New Zealand Government would not listen to this. If New Zealand did ever alter the present duty of 16s per gallon on spirits there was an understanding that South Africa should get the benefit of it; but this could be left out of consideration, as there was no intention of doing so. The treaty comes into operation on January 1, and will expire next session unless Parliament renews it. Similar treaties have been concluded between South Africa and Canada and Australia.

RETURN SHOWING ESTIMATED

.BENEFIT.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Sunday.

The Premier, in the course of his statement on the South African reciprocity treaty, said that .if the treaty had been in operation in 1905 it would have meant that the exporters and traders of this country would have benefited to the extent of £5700. At the mme time it was not yet possible to say bow the revenue of New Zealand would be affected under the treaty, but he was quite satisfied that the concessions obtained would enable the New Zealand traders to hold their own with Australia and Canada in an endeavour to find markets for our natural products. Last year, Sir Joseph said, New Zealand had exported to South Africa 2722 tons of bran, 204,906 bushels of oats, 280,459 bushels of wheat, 17.003cwt of butter, 818cwt of cheese, 9187cwt of meats, and 9 tons of flour. The total value of these products (entered' at the Customs), was £174,254 If the treaty had not been arranged, Sir Joseph was quite satisfied that we. could not have competed with Australia and Canada, which countries had already entered into reciprocal .arrangements with South Africa on a similar basis. Tho following is a return showing the estimated advantage to New Zealand through the operation of the treaty on the items' falling under the treaty, bised on the trade 5 for the.year ended December 31, 1905:-— Exports to South* Africa from New Zealand : Bran, duty under Cape tariff Is 2d per cental, rebate proposed 2d per cental, estimated advantage to "New Zealand under the 1905 figure £507; flour, duty 3s 6d per 1 cental, rebate 3d per cental, advantage £2; oats, duty 2s per cental, rebate 2d per cental, advantage £683; wheat, duty Is 2d per cental, rebate 2d per - cental, advantage £1402; butter, duty 2Jd per lb, rebate id per lb, advantage £1983 cheese, duty 15 per cent, ad valorem, rebate 3 per cent., advantage £59; meats, duty lid per lb, rebate id per lb, advantage £1072; total estimated advantage on last year's figures £5709. In the case.of South Africa no estimate of the effect "on that country's trade . with New Zealand can be made, for the simple reason that South Africa has no trade with us at present in the articles enumerated in the treaty. i