ACROSS THE TASMAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11250, 30 June 1922, Page 5

ACROSS THE TASMAN

RECIPROCITY QUESTIONS IN MATTERS OF TARIFF AND OLD AGE PENSIONS. MINISTER’S STATEMENT. Mr T. K. Sidey asked, in the House of Representatives yesterday, whether the Hon. Mr Downie Stewart would give some indication: (1) Whether he proposes to submit to the House the reciprocal tariff agreement recently arranged by him with Australia ? As the Commonwealth Parliament is now in session, thero should be no difficulty in having tho proposals simultaneously submitted in both countries. (2) Whether, during hie recent visit to Australia, he made any representations regarding the passing by the Commonwealth of a reciprocal Old Age Pensions Act on the lines of the Old Ago Reciprocity Act, 1913, which was passed to ratify an agreement made with the Commonwealth, but which Australia had not so far ratified? Mr Steivart replied that the date when the agreement would be laid on the table would depend largely on how long the other side of the House wished to debate the A ddress-in-Reply. The matter also rested, to a great extent, with the Leader of the House, who arranged tho order of business. Also, it would be necessary to ascertain the day on which the Commonwealth Government proposed to take its copy of the agreement, as it was desired that it should be brought down on tho same day in both places. As to reciprocity in old age pensions, Mr Stewart said that he had been advised by his experts that reciprocity would not be to tho advantage of New Zealand, and that, in view of the financial situation, it would not be expedient to reopen the question.