FRENCH TARIFF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23413, 1 August 1939, Page 14

FRENCH TARIFF

PACIFIC COLONIES

.NEW ZEALAND'S POSITION DISADVANTAGE SUFFERED The disadvantage New Zealand produce and other goods suffer, under the customs tariff in Noumea and other French possessions, compared with some other countries, among which is Japan, was referred to the acting-Min-ister of Customs, the Hon. H. G. 11. Mason, l>v the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. A reply by the Minister is to the effect that the desirability of having New Zealand products admitted into French possessions on the most favourable basis possible is recognised, and the question will receive consideration in connection with trade negotiations between New Zealand and France.

It is presumed that the matter will be raised by the Minister of Finance, tho Hon. W. Nash, in the discussions now proceeding in Fi'atice. In its letter to Mr. Mason, the chamber pointed out that the customs tariff was in three divisions. There was'a French preferential tariff for the whole of the French empire, a minimum scale for practically the, whole world except those parts on a preferential or general tariff, and a general tariff. Strangely enough, the general tariff applied solely to Australia, New Zealand, the Dutch East Indies and China. Japan was on the minimum tariff. France was on New Zealand's general tariff. It seemed to the chamber most regrettable that the French Pacific islands, New Caledonia and the Society Islands should be placed under a serious disadvantage in relation to the importation of New Zealand produce, especially with the Dominion's tinned butter, tinned meats, condensed milks and cheese. A trade connection between New Zealand and Tahiti had been established for many years, and statistics showed that this trade in 1937 was worth £51,000.