TRADE AGREEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20619, 18 July 1930, Page 13

TRADE AGREEMENTS.

NEW DOMINION PROPOSALS. BASIS OF RECIPROCITY. VIEWS OF BUSINESS MEN. In response to a request. I>y the Comptroller of Customs for information of Advantage in arranging tlie proposed new tvnde agreements with Canada and Australia. the Auckland Chamber of Commerce decided yesterday to forward broad recommendations which have been drawn up bv ils exporters' committee. 'IIIO recommendations of the chamber firi!; —" That any trade agreement, between New Zealand and Canada should be entirely distinct, from any AustraliaCanada agreement,; that no modification of existing duties should be agreed to except, on a leciprocal basis, any adjustment in the tariff of one country being adequately compensated in that of the other; that in Iht! course of the negotiations every effort should be. made to maintain the duty on New Zealand butter entering Canada at as low a level as possible; that the existence of noneffective duties on the importation of butter and other commodities into New Zealand is a hindrance to the negotiation of satisfactory reciprocal arrangements between New Zealand and other countries, and that they should be immediately abolished." The secretary read a reply received from the Minister of Industries and Commerce to the chamber's request that it should be kept in touch with the progress of negotiations between the Canadian and New Zealand Governments. The Minister stated the matter was a delicate one and such a course was not usual. However, the Prime Minister was dealing directly with it, and the chamber's request would be conveyed to him. Mr. W. A. Boucher said he hoped commercial men would take steps to give information of value to the Government. Although the Government, called for definite information as to various goods from individuals he did not think that a great deal of notice would be taken of written replies. It was decided to forward the broad recommendations of the chamber to the Government and to call a meeting of the exporters' and the importers committees to draft more definite information,