TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21924, 8 April 1933, Page 11

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA

SUCCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS REMOVAL OF EMBARGOES (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 7. The trade agreement between Australia and New Zealand was signed by the Ministcjr of Customs (Mr J. G. Coates) and Senator Massy Greene on the train shortly after 3 o’clock this morning. It is understood that a complete agreement was reached on all points of im portance, but the contents of the agreement will not be revealed until both Governments have had an opportunity of considering it in detail. The Commonwealth and Dominion Governments will agree on the date for the release of the text, which must also be ratified by the Parliaments in both countries. As the next session in New Zealand is not likeß to be before August, there will possibly 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 embargo on New Zealand potatoes and Australian fruit and vegetables. Suggestions were made during the ■ nogo Rations that, consequent on the lifting of the embargo on potatoes, there should be an additional duty of 10s a ton, but this has been resisted by, the New Zealand Government.

Many features of the agreement will have to be effected by alterations in the tariff schedules, and this will be done in New Zealand next session, probably when the general revision of the is being made. ■ .

In the course of an interview to-day concerning the trade treaty with Australia Mr Coates expressed entire satisfaction with the manner in which the negotiations had been carried out. It had not been possible for him to acquainr his colleagues in the Cabinet with all that had been done, but he would do so at an early date. , In reply to a question whether tin Government would consider calling the New Zealand Parliament together specially to deal with the matter he said that such a course was unlikely. He did not think it would be wise to ask Parlia ment to meet before the time-already stipulated. Mr Coates said there had naturally been differences of opinion during th>negotiations, but generally the work ban been carried out in a satisfactory manner, and he thought when the terms were an nounccd it would be found that the agreement was largely acceptable to both sides. As far as possible every endeavor bad been made to reach an understand ing on the points at issue. An agreement had been reached on practically all the main, points, although it was likely that one or two matters would be subject to further negotiation between the two countries.

NEW ZEALAND POTATOES

THE TASMANIAN EMBARGO.

(United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) HOBART, April <3. The Potato Marketing Board, while not objecting to the removal of the embargo , on New Zealand potatoes, expresses the opinion that local growers should be adequately protected by a tariff. They suggest £3 a ton, plus primage and a sales tax. GIST OF THE TREATY (United Press Association.) * (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, April 7. (Received April 7, at 10 pan.) Advices received ■ here indicate that the new trade treaty between Australia and New Zealand involves the removal of restrictions and embargoes here on some New Zealand products, the chief of which are potatoes, in return for which Australia is toxhave the New Zealand market for dried'and canned fruits and certain fresh fruits. AUSTRALIAN DELEGATION DEPARTURE FROM DOMINION. ilT:n United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 7. Having completed nearly three weeks’ negotiations and signed a draft trade treaty between Australia and New Zealand,'on a special train at 3 o’clock this morning, Senator W. Massy Greene,arrived in Auckland this afternoon after a fast trip from Wellington in .time to hoard the steamer Monowai for Sydney. He was accompanied by Mrs Greene and the members of the Federal Government delegation. Although he had continued the discussions far ini the small hours with the Minister of customs (Mr 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 all tired. When he readied the Monowai he 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 I gave to the press before leaving Wellington,” said Senator Greene in a brief interview'.