NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3862, 20 March 1928, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA.

PROPOSED TRADE AGREEMENT. STATEMENT BY MR DOWNIE STEWART. ; WELLINGTON, March 13. The Minister of Customs (Mr W. Downie Stewart), in a letter received by the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association to-day, stated that he noticed that the association had recent]}- passed a resolution to the effect that no definite promises should be given in respect of any items that might be brought up for discussion by the Commonwealth Minister of Trade and Customs until the New Zea.land manufacturers concerned had been consulted. “ I think,” wrote the Minister, “ that on consideration your committee will see that it is not practicable to deal with the matter-in this way. As you are aware, the object of the visit, of Mr Pratten to New Zealand is to come to some agreement with the New Zealand Government with respect to trade between the two countries. The Minister who is acting for either country must therefore be in a position before negotiations are concluded to agree to certain definite rates of duty on particular articles. Any inquiry which is made so far as New Zealand is concerned must, therefore (to be of real use), be completed before negotiations are finished. If effect were given to the resolution passed by your committee it would be practically impossible to have negotiations conducted on a satisfactory basis, since manufacturers have thqir business organisations all over New Zealand.

“ Further, if the suggestion of your committee were adopted, how could the Government refuse to allow a similar course with respect to other goods than manufactured articles, and how could it justify non-consultation with farmers, farmers’ unions, chambers of commerce, the Hopgrowers’ Association, and many other organisations throughout New Zealand interested in trade and commerce? Such a course would practically preclude the completion of any agreement.” The Minister concluded by saying that as the discussions would be commenced early next week he would be glad of any information that such bodies as theirs could supply.