TRADE TREATY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21462, 8 April 1933, Page 12

TRADE TREATY

AUSTRALIA AND DOMINION 3 EARLY MORNING COMPLETION DEPARTURE OF DELEGATION SENATOR GREENE GRATIFIED Having completed nearly three weeks of negotiations and signed a draft trade treaty between Australia and New Zealand on a special train at three o'clock yesterday morning, Senator W. Massey Greene arrived in Auckland yesterday afternoon after a fast trip from Wellington in time to board the steamer Monowai f° r Sydney. He was accompanied by Mrs. Greene and the members of the Federal Government delegation. Although he had continued discussions far into the small hours with the Minister of Customs, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, who accompanied him as far as Palmerston North and signed the treaty for New Zealand en route, Senator Greene did not look at ad tired when he reached the Monowai. Ho was immediately called to the telephone to exchange good-byes and final good wishes with Mr. Coates, who had telephoned from Wellington and was waiting to speak to him. "I can do'little more than repeat the statement which 1 gave to the press last night before leaving Wellington," said Senator Greene, in a brief interview. "It has been a great pleasure to visit this beautiful and fertile country again and to see more of it than 1 was ever able to see before. I had never visited Wellington, and the trip to Waitangi was a delightful interlude. On behalf of Mrs. Greene and my colleagues I wish' to give the Government and people of New Zealand my warmest thanks for their kindly reception of us and their generous hospitality. "In due time the result of our mission will become known," Senator Greene continued. "I believe that, apart altogether from whatever may have been achieved, the opportunity this visit has afforded for an exchange of views and. for learning each other's point of view cannot but be of benefit to both Dominions. We see far too little of each other. Perhaps it may be found possible in the future to maintain closer- contact, for our mutual benefit. "I know .that, in common with the rest of the vl ; orld, New Zealand is facing a most difficult situation, one involving suffering and sacrifice on the part of a large proportion of the people. Still, I have every confidence that country so predominantly British as New Zealand will emerge from these troublous times stronger, sounder and safer, and garner a full measure of the fruits of the prosperity we confidently believe will return to us in due season. Just as the primary producing countries were the first to face reaction and depression, so there is every reason to hope that under wise government they will bo leaders in recovery when it comes —as come it must." SPECIAL TRAIN TRIP FAST RUN ACCOMPLISHED HOUR LESS THAN LIMITED In spite of speed restrictions over the repaired sections of railway in the King Country, the fast time of 13 hours 19 minutes was made yesterday by the special train which brought the members of the /Australian trade delegation from Wellington to Auckland in order that they might connect with the Monowai "for the return voyage to Sydney. The time was 66 minutes better than that normally allowed to the limited express. When it left Thorndon at 1 a.m. the train consisted of an engine, two coaches and a guard's van. The members of the delegation were accommodated in one of the "cruising" carriages that were built some time ago to accommodate tourist parties. A Ministerial carriage was included for the use of the Minister of Customs, the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates, who travelled with /the delegation as far as Palmerston North for the purpose of completing- and signing the draft trade treaty. This was done en route, and at Palmerston North Mr. Coates' carriage was detached for the return trip to Wellington. For the rest of the journey the special had no difficulty in keeping up to schedule, as the engine had only a light haul, and there were no stops of any duration until half-an-hour's halt was made at Frankton for luncheon. Here' the lighter engine was changed for one of the new heavy "K" class freight engines—not for .reasons of haste, >, but simply because it was convenient to send one of these locomotives to Auckland without a freight load. The train arrived at 2.19 p.m., just 10 minutes ahead of schedule, giving the visitors a little over half-an-hour in which to board the steamer. The members of the delegation were very appreciative of the Railway Department's attention to their comfort on the trip, and also of the modern type of carriage' provided for them. The "cruising" carriages, which the department keeps for such purposes, contain a salotfn, several sleeping compartments, a bathroom and a kitchen for the preparation of light meal 3. CONTENTS NOT DISCLOSED PERUSAL BY GOVERNMENTS RELEASE EXPECTED LATER [by telegraph—press association] /, WELLINGTON, Friday A trade agreement between Australia and New Zealand was signed by the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates and Senator W. Massy Greene on the train shortly after three o'clock this morning. Mr. Coates accompanied Senator Greene to Palmerston North on a special train, and returned to Wellington while the Australians went on to Auckland to connect with the Monowai for Sydney, It is understood that a complete agreement was reached on all points of importance, but the contents of the agreement will not be revealed until both Governments have had the opportunity to consider it in detail. The Commonwealth and Dominion Governments will agree on a date for the release of the text, which must also bo ratified by' the Parliaments in both countries. As the npxt session of Parliament in New Zealand is unlikely before August there will be some delay in securing ratification, but this will not prevent certain measures being taken as soon as the Governments have agreed. This refers particularly to the embargoes on New Zealand potatoes and Australian fruit and /vegetables. Suggestions were made during the negotiations that, consequent on the lifting of the embargo on potatoes, there should be an additional duty of 10s a toity but this has been resisted by the New Zealand Government. Many features of the agreement will to be effected by alterations in schedules, and this will be done m New Zealand next session, probably when the general revision of the tariff u being made.