RECIPROCAL TARIFF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19761, 12 April 1926, Page 7

RECIPROCAL TARIFF.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW y ZEALAND. VIEWS OF SIR HENRY BARWELL. “I have had a very happy time in New Zealand so far, meeting with unbounded hospitality everywhere. I am much impressed with the scenic beauties of the . country, .and also with its possibilities.’ ’ Sir Henry Harwell. ex-Premier of South | Australia, and now a member of the ' Senate, made these remarks in concluding an interview yesterday. Sir ■ Henry arrived from Wellington on Saturday, and will remain in Dunedin for 10 days. He said that he had come to New Zealand primarily on private business, but : the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr S. ! M. Bruce) had requested him to extend his visit for the purpose of interviewing 1 the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) and members of the Cabinet ■ | with regard to matters affecting New Zealand and Australia, with particular reference to reciprocal tariff arrangements. Another object of the visit was to see the Exhibition. Although lie was at the Exhibition on Saturday night, he did little more than to attend the band concert. “But I hope to make a thorough inspection of the Exhibition during the next day or two,” he stated. “I was much impressed by the attendance, and 1 am glad to see that the Exhibition is a continued success.” Sir Henry siad that, speaking generally, the trade position in Australia was pros- , perous, and a general existed in j favour of com.ning the trade, as far as 1 ' possible, within the Empire. In that connection it was hoped that a larger volume of reciprocal trade between New Zealand and Australia was possible and that that might be forwarded by the extension ••£ the reciprocal tariff arrangement to other items than those covered at the present time. "No, there is little unemployment in Australia at the present moment,’ Sir Henry replied to a question on the state of the labour market. “The industrial position is certainly better to-day than it was prior to the recent general elections, which were fought upon the direct issue of the maintenance of law .nd order against- direct action. Extremists of the Communist type had caused considerable industrial disturbance duping the previous two years. The .Government took drastic action to suppress this, and, feeling that greater .power was necessary ..ban that which the present legislation gave, the appeal was made to the country upon this issue. The overwhelming support i-.-nn to the Bruce-Page Government showed strongly the feeling o Australian citizens against the extremists and in favour of a strong constitutional Government. The election result was a direct set-L-ck to the extremists, who have been eomparati\ely quiet since the elections.’’ More publicity for New Zealand in Australia was supported by Sir Henry. 1 think that Australians know comparatively little about New Zealand and its trade and industries, and I think an impetus might be given by greater pub11city, stated the visiting* Senator. ‘‘The time is fast arriving when Australia might be represented in New Zealand by trade commissioners, and vice versa.” ,-An active part in the extension of the north-south railway from Oodnadatta, in South Australia, to the Northern Territory has been taken by Sir Henry, who said an agreement between the Commonwealth and the State of South Australia to connect Port Darwin with the existing Adelaide to Oodnadatta railway by a line to be constructed was in existence. The Commonwealth had passed recently a Bill for the construction of 300 miles of line from Oodnadatta to Ellis Springs, which was in the centre of the Continent, as a section of the north-south overland line. The construction should do much to open up for settlement and.development the interior of the Australian Continent. He had been twice through the centre of Australia, and he remained tremendously impressed with its possibilities. It con tained rich pastoral lands, and the avenues of possibilities were considerable. Another Bill had been passed through the Senate and was now before the House of Representatives; it provided for the division of the Northern Territory into two portions—one to be known as North Australia and the other as Central Australia. A commission of three persons would be appointed for the purpose of preparing and submitting schemes for the development of the Northern Territory. Government Residents would also be appointed for both divisions, and would be assisted by advisory committees of four persons—two nominated by the Government and two elected by local residents. "This represents an honest effort by the Government of Australia to develop this practically unknown country,” remarked Sir Henry. " Incidentally, I find that few people in New Zealand realise exactly the immensity of the Australian Continent, and most are surprised when I mention the that Australia is 30 times the size of New Zealand.” Sir Henry will inspect the Exhibition courts to-day, and at night he will -be accorded a reception at the Exhibition.