TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22670, 6 March 1937, Page 16

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA

HOPE OF EARLY PARLEYS ORANGES AND POTATOES [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] INVERCARGILL, Frldny "The deputation opened up a very wide question when it referred to the embargo on Australian fruit," said the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, when replying to a deputation of Invercargill fruiterers to-day. "The question of the importation of citrus fruit from Australia is wrapped up' with the whole question of trade relationship between the two countries. Oranges and potatoes have certainly played a big part in the negotiations which have taken place between the two countries in the past, and those issues are still very live ones." The Minister said he had had private discussions with prominent Australians, including representatives of the Government who had visited New Zealand, and in each case the Australians readily admitted that New Zealand had a great deal to support its claim for more balanced trade between the two countries. "The present trade balance is very much in Australia's favour, and wiping out the embargo on Australian oranges will not improve that position." said Mr. Sullivan. The whole question of the trade agreement would, he hoped, be the subject of negotiation between the two countries at an early elate. In the meantime the Government of New Zealand realised that the people were entitled to obtain a greater supply of oranges than they had in past years. It was for this reason that very greatly increased quantities of oranges had been permitted to enter New Zealand from Australia. Indeed, the importations from Australia were far greater last year than they had been for any year during the past seven years. Another point which the Minister said he was giving special consideration to was the supply of citrus fruit to South Island, which, he recognised, had been somewhat neglected in the past. Increased quantities had been sent to Duncdin and Invercargill during tho past season, and their requirements would receive further consideration next season.